Jubilation yesterday greeted the news that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State has ordered the Police to maintain the status quo on the enforcement of vehicle tinted glass permit.

The court issued the order in suit No.FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by a lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins, against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The order came barely hours after police operatives in the state impounded the vehicle of a judicial officer despite the pendency of a suit by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last month challenging the legality of the exercise.

Scores of Nigerians who reacted to the news noted that enforcement of the tinted permit at this time showed insensitivity to the people’s economic plights.

Others raised concerns about the difficulty in completing the process through the digital portal, possap.gov.ng, accusing the police of reintroducing the exercise as a means to extort and harass motorists.

But there were still a handful of Nigerians who stood with the police, citing the spate of kidnapping and insecurity across the country, and the need for law enforcement officers to regulate the use of tinted permits.

In its suit filed last month, the NBA had argued that the policy was unlawful and violated citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, and freedom of movement. It also claimed that the police’s ground for the enforcement was hinged on a 1991 Act, enacted under the military rule and contradicted the 1999 Constitution.

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But their lawsuit did not stop the police as enforcement commenced in most states as scheduled.

The enforcement, the police said, is in strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, which remains a vital security regulation used to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety.

In Jigawa and Delta states for instance, the police intensified enforcements, impounding 20 and 25 vehicles respectively.

Spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command told The Nation that offenders were charged to court immediately, adding that there was active enforcement across the 27 LGAs with emphasis on the state capital.

Adam added that he was not aware of any court order halting the exercise.

In Delta State, the police command through its X handle announced the clampdown on 25 vehicles for flouting the tinted permit law, vowing to sustain the tempo.

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His words knelled like a gong across the public sphere. The intent was clear: to set the records straight in a clime where truth is malleable and reputation becomes easy prey.

But, Femi Otedola, true to his innate nature and uncompromising character, rose in fierce defence of the truth.

His voice, clear and unshaken, cuts through the fog of accusation like a lighthouse beam over turbulent seas

Last weekend, the billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and chairman of FirstHoldco Plc, chose to confront, head-on, fresh allegations that sought to drag him into the graveyard of subsidy fraud. …click link for full details here 

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, may be stoned.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele noted that the president will face attacks in an Arab country and that some nations will gang up to cause chaos in America. …click link for full details here 

With less than two years until the next election in Nigeria, the competition for the presidential ticket has intensified as prominent figures within the party vie for position to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

This internal conflict highlights the challenges and rivalries that can emerge even within parties that share a common political goal. Click link to continue reading.

In a noteworthy development, the Nigerian currency, the naira, has shown significant appreciation against the US dollar in the latest official exchange rate.

As the naira gains strength, there are rising expectations that this trend could enhance trade and boost local businesses as well. Click link to continue reading.

As countless Ndigbo eagerly anticipate the long-awaited release of Nnamdi Kanu, the prominent leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), there is a palpable sense of hope amidst the shadows of his prolonged detention. a

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has taken decisive steps, issuing a fresh update on its ongoing dialogues with Nigerian authorities, as it strives tirelessly for Kanu’s freedom.

The negligence exhibited by the Southeast Governors, Igbo Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, the Southeast Traditional Rulers Forum, and the College of Bishops is not merely a matter of oversight but a glaring betrayal of their responsibilities to the Igbo people.

In stark contrast to the proactive measures undertaken by political leaders in other regions, particularly in northern Nigeria, where governors have openly engaged in dialogue with individuals linked to abhorrent acts of violence, the leaders of the Southeast have retreated into a conspiratorial silence.

Northern governors have shown an alarming readiness to negotiate with bandits who have perpetrated grave injustices against innocent civilians, while our Southeast leaders are conspicuously absent from any meaningful engagement concerning the plight of our own.

In the Southwest, we have witnessed a commendable consolidation of leadership aimed at addressing pressing security challenges, including the formation of robust security outfits that have fostered a sense of safety. The leadership of that region rallied effectively to advocate for the release of Yoruba activist Mr.Sunday Igboho, showcasing a united front in their pursuit of justice.

Regrettably, such concerted efforts are sorely lacking among our own leaders regarding Nnamdi Kanu, who has languished in detention since 2021 without just cause.

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The stark reality is that the primary beneficiaries of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued incarceration are the Igbo political elites who have engaged in a despicable game of evasion. These leaders, while professing concern and solidarity, have opted instead to cultivate a muddied culture of deceit that aims to placate public sentiment without championing any genuine resolution. They exploit the situation surrounding Nnamdi Kanu as a facade to win favor and bolster their popularity among the populace, offering nothing of substance in return.

Critical questions remain unaddressed: Why do Igbo politicians prioritize visits to Nnamdi Kanu in detention rather than making earnest attempts to engage with President Tinubu to advocate for his release? Why do religious leaders and traditional rulers prefer photo opportunities inside FCT courtroom settings rather than exerting their influence behind closed doors for substantive negotiations? Why do our stakeholders favor a public media trial over a discreet pursuit of justice through legitimate legal channels?

Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally rebukes the hollow proclamations put forth by certain Igbo leaders, who loudly clamour for Kanu’s release without any accompanying commitment to action. It is essential to convey the uncomfortable truth: the only impediment to Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom is the absence of sincere assurances from Igbo leaders to President Tinubu that Nnamdi Kanu would conduct himself with integrity post-release. Tragically, no governor, senator, or influential leader among us is prepared to take the necessary risks that would facilitate his release.
In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reassures Ndigbo that we remain steadfast in our belief that President Tinubu will facilitate Nnamdi Kanu’s release before the close of 2025. We owe it to our collective conscience to confront this issue with the seriousness it demands, and we call upon our leaders to align their actions with the aspirations and needs of the Igbo people.

Signed:

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Deputy President General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Chief Chinenyeze Ohia
National Spokesman
Ohanaeze Ndigbo

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