IGP Gets Court Order On Tinted Glass Permit

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has been formally served with an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, directing the Nigeria Police Force to maintain the status quo and suspend the enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy.

In a letter dated October 3, 2025, and acknowledged by the Force Headquarters in Abuja on October 4, 2025, the law firm of Kunle Edun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria & Partners, representing the plaintiff, Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, confirmed that the court’s enrolled order had been duly delivered to the Inspector-General.

According to the firm, bailiffs of the Federal High Court, Warri, confirmed that the order was officially served on the police on Saturday morning.

The letter, jointly signed by Kunle Edun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Godspower Eroga, stressed that the police must immediately suspend all enforcement activities related to the tinted glass permit policy in compliance with the court’s directive.

It read in part, “Please be informed that the Federal High Court sitting at Warri on the 3rd day of October, 2025, granted the Plaintiff’s prayers in part and particularly directed that, regarding the announced enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy, the Nigeria Police Force and its officers should maintain status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

Citing the Supreme Court decisions in Oyeyemi & Ors v. Irewole Local Government (1993) LPELR-2881(SC) and Military Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, the firm reminded the Inspector-General that the essence of maintaining the status quo is to preserve the peaceable and uncontested position of things before the dispute arose.

The firm further urged the police chief to ensure total compliance with the order, stating:

“We urge that you direct all your officers, units, and subordinates to cease and suspend all activities relating to the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy, out of respect for the Court and its sacred processes. As a law-enforcing organisation, compliance with court orders should be seen as a duty,” the letter added.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice H.A. Ngangijowa, had on Friday restrained the police from enforcing the tinted glass permit policy or using the account of Parkway Projects (A/C No. 4001017918) for the collection of related fees pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police & Anor, was adjourned to October 16 for further hearing.