A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered 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 follows a lawsuit filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, challenging the legality of the policy.
The Nigeria Police had previously revived the tinted permit policy via its digital platform, POSSAP, citing public complaints about harassment of motorists with factory-fitted tints. Official enforcement began in June 2025 after a grace period but faced extensions to allow more time for compliance. The police justified the renewed push on security grounds, arguing that criminals often exploit tinted vehicles to evade detection.
The legal challenge questions whether the police acted within the bounds of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which allows permits only for “good cause.” Critics argue that the blanket enforcement infringes on constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of movement, potentially leading to increased harassment by security agents.
Civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have raised concerns, with the NBA filing a separate suit claiming the enforcement framework is unconstitutional and lacks transparency. Issues regarding fee handling, application accessibility, and potential abuse by officers have also been highlighted.
While the police assert that the scheme is lawful and essential for national security, the Warri court’s directive underscores the growing legal and public pushback. Until the case is resolved, the implementation of the tinted glass permit remains uncertain, leaving millions of motorists unclear about compliance requirements and the policy’s overall legitimacy.
