By Henry Ojelu
A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to preserve the current situation regarding the tinted window permit enforcement, following a legal challenge initiated by attorney John Aikpokpo-Martins. The suit contests the legitimacy of the recently reinstated tinted permit policy.
The Nigeria Police had reintroduced the tinted window permit system via its digital platform, POSSAP, responding to public grievances about harassment of drivers with factory-installed tinted windows. Enforcement officially began in June 2025 after an initial 30-day grace period, which was subsequently extended twice-first to August, then to October-to give motorists additional time to comply. The police justified the policy on security grounds, emphasizing that criminals often use vehicles with darkened windows to avoid detection.
However, the lawsuit challenges whether the police’s actions align with the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which stipulates that permits should only be issued for valid reasons such as medical conditions or security needs. Aikpokpo-Martins and other opponents argue that the broad enforcement unfairly targets motorists, violates constitutional rights including privacy and freedom of movement, and may encourage continued harassment by law enforcement officers.
In addition, civil society organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have expressed serious reservations. The NBA has filed a separate lawsuit, asserting that the enforcement mechanism is unconstitutional and lacks transparency. Concerns have been raised about fee management, the accessibility of the permit application process, and the potential for misuse by police personnel during roadside checks.
While the police insist that the tinted permit scheme is lawful and crucial for national security, the Warri court’s ruling highlights mounting legal and societal resistance. Pending the final judgment, the tinted window permit enforcement remains suspended, leaving millions of drivers uncertain about compliance obligations and the overall validity of the policy.