Delta Court Restrains Police from Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy

Delta Court Restrains Police from Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy

Reported by Ihuoma Amarachi

ASABA — A Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)from enforcing or demanding tinted glass permits from motorists, citing constitutional violations and lack of legal authority. The ruling, delivered by Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman, followed a suit filed by rights activist Victor Ojei (a.k.a. Wong Box), who challenged the legality of the Police’s demand for tinted permit certificates despite a suspension directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in 2022. The court held that since the IGP’s directive halts the issuance of such permits, enforcement becomes arbitrary and illegal. Justice Daibo-Harriman also ruled that there was no law currently authorising the police to continue enforcement of the policy, thereby making it unconstitutional to harass or arrest citizens over tinted glasses. She emphasized that citizens’ rights must be respected and that enforcement actions lacking legal backing undermine the rule of law.

The Nigeria Police had previously maintained that the use of tinted windows posed security risks, particularly in the context of rising criminal activity. However, the suspension of permit issuance by the Police Force and lack of updated regulations have made enforcement contentious. Human rights groups and civil society organisations have welcomed the ruling, urging the Federal Government to review outdated regulations and provide clear legal frameworks for traffic enforcement in line with democratic norms.

Sources:

– [Punch Newspapers – Delta court bars police from enforcing tinted glass permit](https://punchng.com/court-bars-police-from-enforcing-tinted-glass-permit-in-delta/) – [Channels TV – Court restrains police from enforcing tinted glass permit policy](https://www.channelstv.com/2023/12/15/court-restrains-police-from-enforcing-tinted-glass-permit-policy/) – [Premium Times – Rights activist wins suit against tinted permit enforcement](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/653149-court-bars-police-from-enforcing-tinted-glass-permit-in-delta.html)

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

See author's posts