Port Harcourt, Nigeria – October 4, 2025 – In a landmark ruling that has sparked widespread relief and debate across Nigeria, a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and its Inspector-General to suspend the controversial enforcement of tinted vehicle glass permits.

The interim injunction, issued by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, comes amid mounting complaints of extortion, harassment, and arbitrary arrests of motorists with factory-fitted tints.

The policy, revived earlier this year through the Police Special Services and Analytics Platform (POSSAP), aimed to regulate tinted glasses following public outcry over their misuse by criminals. Enforcement began in June 2025 after a 30-day grace period, but was extended twice to August and then October to give drivers time to comply. Critics, however, labeled it a revenue-generating scheme, with reports of officers demanding bribes ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦20,000 from compliant vehicle owners or those with legitimate factory tints from brands like Toyota or Mercedes. In Lagos, a viral video showed an officer seizing a driver’s keys over a tinted SUV, sparking outrage online.

Aikpokpo-Martins argued in court that the enforcement violates citizens’ rights, lacks clear legal backing under the 1999 Constitution, and disproportionately affects everyday Nigerians amid soaring fuel prices and inflation. The judge’s order maintains the status quo pending a full hearing, pausing nationwide crackdowns that had led to roadblock chaos in cities like Abuja, where motorists faced hours-long delays, and Port Harcourt, where a woman was reportedly assaulted for questioning a fine.

Social media exploded with reactions, trending with hashtags like #EndPoliceExtortion and #TintedGlassBan. One X user posted, “Finally, some justice! Police turning roads into toll gates must stop,” while another warned, “This is just a pause corruption won’t end without real reform.” In Port Harcourt, drivers honked in celebration, while human rights advocates held impromptu rallies, demanding body cameras for officers and an end to unchecked power. Amnesty International Nigeria highlighted over 200 complaints filed since June, including cases of confiscated vehicles still unreturned.

This decision comes as Nigeria grapples with broader security challenges, from banditry in Zamfara to urban crime in Lagos, where trust in law enforcement has plummeted to 28% according to a recent survey. President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which marked Independence Day with promises of economic recovery, now faces intensified calls to address policing grievances that echo the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The police have not commented officially, but insiders suggest officers are frustrated by the ruling, citing security needs, though many admit the policy’s execution was flawed without proper training or equipment.

The ruling has also reignited debates on police funding, with critics pointing to the force’s reliance on extorted funds to supplement meager salaries some officers earn as little as ₦50,000 monthly. Local mechanics in Onitsha reported a surge in tint removal requests before the October deadline, costing drivers up to ₦10,000 per vehicle. For many Nigerians, this is a rare win against state overreach, but skepticism persists: Will it lead to systemic change, or fade once the court case concludes? As the nation watches, the outcome could reshape the delicate balance between security and civil liberties in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Source: Read more at channelstv.com