Delta Police Impound 25 Vehicles Amid Tinted‑Glass Permit Confusion

When Delta State Police Command seized twenty‑five cars on Thursday, the move sparked fresh debate over a tinted glass permit that many Nigerian motorists thought was on hold. The operation unfolded in Delta State, Nigeria, amid a legal maelstrom sparked by a Federal High Court ruling that appeared to suspend the permit’s enforcement.

Background: How the tinted‑glass rule came about

In early 2022, the Federal Ministry of Transport issued Regulation No. 04/2022 mandating that any vehicle fitted with tinted windows obtain a special permit. The goal was two‑fold: improve road safety by ensuring drivers could see pedestrians and curb the black‑market trade in overly dark glass. By mid‑2023, over 4 million permits had been issued nationwide, according to the Ministry’s annual report.

However, on 12 March 2024, a panel of judges at the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that the enforcement clause of the regulation was “unconstitutionally vague.” The decision sent shockwaves through the auto‑industry, prompting state governments to scramble for clarification.

The Delta State Police operation

At approximately 08:30 GMT, a convoy of three patrol cars rolled out from the Asaba police headquarters. Within two hours, officers had checked 143 vehicles across four major thoroughfares – the Airport Road, Warri‑Udu Express, Oghara‑Udu Link, and the bustling Obi‑Road Market area. Twenty‑five of those were deemed non‑compliant and towed to the state’s impound lot.

“We acted on the basis of the state’s own vehicle safety code, which still requires a tinted‑glass permit,” explained Commodore Emeka Okoro, spokesperson for the police command. “Our officers were not instructed to suspend operations pending further court guidance.”

Legal fog: What the court ruling actually says

The Federal High Court’s 12‑March judgment did not strike down the entire regulation; it merely questioned the procedural steps required to enforce the permit. Legal scholars say the ruling leaves room for states to interpret the law independently. Prof. Adaeze Nwankwo, a constitutional law professor at the University of Lagos, noted, “The judgment emphasizes due process, not an outright ban. Until a higher appellate court clarifies, you’ll see a patchwork of enforcement across the federation.”

Delta State’s Attorney General, Hon. Okey Nwankwo, issued a brief statement the same day, asserting that the state’s “public safety statutes remain in full effect.” The Attorney General’s office has not yet filed an appeal, but sources say a legal team is reviewing the possibility of seeking a definitive interpretation from the Supreme Court.

Stakeholder reactions: Drivers, dealers, and advocacy groups

Owners of the impounded cars voiced frustration. “I paid N500,000 for the permit last year,” lamented Mrs. Chioma Obi, a trader from Warri. “Now my vehicle is locked up, and I’m losing business.”

The Nigerian Federation of Automobile Users (NFAU) called the seizure “heavy‑handed” and urged the federal government to issue a uniform directive. In a press release, NFAU president Mr. Tunde Adebayo warned that “inconsistent enforcement could erode public trust in law‑enforcement agencies.”

Conversely, road‑safety NGOs hailed the police action as a necessary reminder that vehicle modifications should not compromise visibility. “Tinted glass, when too dark, can be a deadly hazard,” said Dr. Chinwe Eze, director of the Road Safety Initiative (RSI). “If the courts finally clarify the law, we hope states will enforce it uniformly.”

What this means for everyday drivers

For the average Nigerian commuter, the immediate takeaway is caution. Legal experts advise checking the validity of any existing tinted‑glass permit and, if in doubt, contacting local licensing offices. The estimated fine for driving without a permit stands at N500,000 per offense, plus possible impound fees of around N150,000 per day.

Insurance firms have also taken note. After the Delta operation, AXA Mansard Insurance issued an advisory reminding policyholders that “claims related to accidents involving non‑compliant tinted glass may be subject to additional scrutiny.”

Looking ahead: Will the courts settle the dispute?

The legal limbo is unlikely to disappear overnight. Observers expect the Federal High Court’s decision to be appealed to the Court of Appeal within the next month. If the appellate court upholds the lower court’s view, we could see a de‑facto moratorium on tinted‑glass permits nationwide. On the other hand, a reversal could empower states to enforce their own codes without fear of federal pushback.

In the meantime, law‑enforcement agencies across Nigeria are watching Delta’s move closely. Some have hinted at similar sweeps, while others say they will pause until clearer guidance emerges.

Key facts

• 25 vehicles impounded by Delta State Police Command on 4 April 2025.
• The action follows a 12 March 2024 Federal High Court ruling questioning the enforcement of tinted‑glass permits.
• Delta State Attorney General maintains the state’s safety statutes are still in force.
• Potential fines: N500,000 per violation; daily impound fees ~N150,000.
• Legal experts predict an appellate hearing by mid‑2025.