The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has temporarily suspended the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 1991 after weeks of public outcry and pressure from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The suspension was made public on Thursday in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to Hundeyin, although there’s no active court order currently stopping enforcement, the police decided to suspend the exercise “in the interest of Nigerians and out of respect for the NBA,” pending the outcome of a case scheduled for hearing on October 16, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State.
“The Nigeria Police Force, while noting that there is no clear court order stopping the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 1991, has, out of consideration for Nigerians, temporarily suspended the enforcement pending the outcome of the case,” Hundeyin said.
He also revealed that a joint Police–NBA committee has been set up to improve cooperation between both institutions.
Hundeyin advised motorists to use this period to ensure that their vehicle documents are up to date and to comply with all regulations governing the use of tinted or shaded vehicle windows.
IGP Egbetokun reiterated that the Force remains committed to enforcing laws “with fairness, transparency, and respect for citizens’ rights,” while strengthening collaboration with the NBA and other relevant stakeholders.
Confirming the development, the NBA’s legal representative in the matter, Olakunle Edun (SAN), said the suspension followed a meeting between the NBA, led by its president, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and the IGP at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“It is true that the enforcement has been suspended by the police,” Edun said. “At the meeting on October 6, it was agreed that the tinted glass permit enforcement should be suspended in light of the court order, and both the NBA and the police will continue to work together to find a lasting solution.”
The move came after the Federal High Court in Warri ordered the police to suspend enforcement of the tinted glass law pending the determination of a case filed by one John Aikpokpo-Martins against the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force.
Despite the order, reports earlier indicated that some officers in states like Cross River continued to stop vehicles, seize keys, and demand permits—often leading to alleged extortion.
In Calabar, journalist John Osakwe said officers accused him of using tinted glass and demanded ₦30,000 before releasing his car. Another motorist, Edem Udofia, claimed his commercial bus was impounded because of its factory-fitted glass.
Legal experts, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mba Ukweni, criticised the police for disobeying the court order. “The court has restrained the police from harassing drivers or impounding vehicles over tinted glasses. They must comply,” Ukweni stated.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed to AIT that enforcement had indeed been suspended. She clarified that payments for tinted glass permits are done online through the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) — not handled by individual officers.
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“The registration and payment processes are fully digital. Policemen only verify documents to ensure motorists have valid permits,” Adeh explained.
The suspension comes amid widespread criticism and allegations of harassment and extortion by officers enforcing the controversial law — a move many Nigerians hope will bring lasting reform to how traffic laws are
