Renowned legal heavyweight, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa (SAN), has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a deliberate attempt to sidestep a Federal High Court order suspending the controversial tinted glass permit policy.
The police, through its spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, had claimed ignorance of the court’s ruling – stating they were yet to be officially served with the order. The judgment, delivered by Justice H.A. Ngangijowa of the Federal High Court in Warri (Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025), temporarily halted enforcement of the policy, citing concerns over motorists’ constitutional rights.
In a fiery response posted on X (formerly Twitter), the senior advocate quoted Hundeyin’s own tweet which included a copy of the court order. According to him, this tweet alone proves the police cannot feign ignorance.
“If the Nigerian Police has not been officially served with the orders of the court, but as the official spokesman of the police you have the enrolled orders attached here, can you reasonably say you have not seen the orders?” he queried.
He insisted the force is fully aware of the case and should act responsibly.
Okutepa called on the police to lead by example in upholding the rule of law. He stressed that in civilised societies, law enforcement agencies comply with court directives once they’re aware of them – even before formal service is effected.
“As the foremost law enforcement agent, it will be nice and accord with civilised standards all over the world that the pending processes that you are aware of be respected by the police institution,” he said.
The police had earlier stated it would begin full enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy from October 2, 2025. That move, now challenged in court, sparked debate across legal and civic circles.
