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| Tinted car. |
A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has instructed the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the current position in a legal suit initiated by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, which contests the legitimacy of the newly reintroduced tinted glass permit enforcement.
The Nigerian Police had recently reinstated the tinted glass permit regulation via its digital platform, POSSAP, in response to complaints from the public about the harassment of drivers whose vehicles have factory-installed tinted windows.
The official enforcement began in June 2025 after a 30-day grace period. This grace period was later extended twice—initially to August and then again to October—to provide additional time for motorists to comply. The police justified the renewed enforcement based on national security, stating that criminals frequently use vehicles with heavily tinted windows to avoid detection.
The lawsuit, however, challenges whether the Police have complied with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which stipulates that such permits should only be issued for “good cause,” including health or security needs. Aikpokpo-Martins, along with other critics, argues that the widespread enforcement unfairly affects motorists, violates constitutional rights such as privacy and freedom of movement, and potentially enables abuse by law enforcement officers.
Various civil society organisations and the Nigerian Bar Association have also raised alarms over the matter. The NBA has filed a separate lawsuit, asserting that the implementation process is unconstitutional and lacks transparency. Concerns have been voiced regarding the collection and management of application fees, the ease of access to the digital application system, and the likelihood of exploitation by officers during roadside checks.
While the police continue to assert that the initiative is legal and vital for safeguarding national security, the ruling by the Warri court highlights the increasing legal and societal opposition. Until a final judgment is delivered, the enforcement of the tinted glass permit will remain suspended in legal uncertainty, leaving numerous vehicle owners unsure about how to comply or about the overall validity of the policy.
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