A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the status quo regarding the enforcement of the new tinted glass permit policy. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, challenging the legality of the permit enforcement.
The Nigeria Police had recently revived the tinted permit policy through its digital platform, POSSAP, citing public complaints about the harassment of motorists with factory-fitted tinted windows. Official enforcement began in June 2025, following a series of grace periods extended for compliance.
The legal challenge questions whether the Police acted within the bounds of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which stipulates that permits should only be granted for “good cause,” such as medical or security reasons. Critics, including Aikpokpo-Martins, argue that the enforcement disproportionately burdens motorists, infringes on their constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of movement, and risks increasing harassment by security agents.
Civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have also raised concerns, with the NBA filing a separate suit claiming that the enforcement framework is unconstitutional and lacks transparency. Issues regarding the handling of fees, accessibility of the application system, and potential abuse by officers have been highlighted.
While the police maintain that the scheme is lawful and crucial for national security, the Warri court’s directive reflects a growing legal and public pushback. Until the case is resolved, the implementation of the tinted glass permit remains uncertain, leaving many motorists unclear about compliance requirements and the policy’s overall legitimacy.
