A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to uphold the current status quo in a suit instituted by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, challenging the legality of the revived tinted permit policy.
The Police had earlier reintroduced the tinted glass permit through its digital platform, POSSAP, citing widespread complaints of harassment against motorists whose vehicles had factory-installed tints.
Official enforcement began in June 2025 after an initial 30-day grace period, though extensions were later given—first to August, then to October—to give drivers more time to comply. Police authorities defended the policy on security grounds, insisting that criminals often exploit heavily tinted cars to avoid detection.
The legal challenge, however, questions whether the Police acted within the limits of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which provides that permits should only be granted for “good cause,” such as medical or security needs.
Aikpokpo-Martins and other critics argue that the blanket enforcement unfairly burdens motorists, infringes constitutional rights to privacy and free movement, and risks fueling harassment by security operatives.
Civil society organisations and the Nigerian Bar Association have also raised objections, with the NBA filing a separate case claiming that the enforcement framework is unconstitutional and lacking transparency. Concerns have emerged over the handling of permit fees, accessibility of the application system, and the likelihood of abuse by officers during checks.
Although the Police maintain that the scheme is both lawful and crucial for national security, the Warri court’s directive highlights the mounting legal and civic opposition. Until the matter is resolved, the tinted glass permit scheme remains in uncertainty, leaving millions of motorists unsure about compliance and the policy’s overall legitimacy.
