Tinted Permit Enforcement on Hold Following Court Order — Police
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The Nigeria Police Force has suspended enforcement of the tinted glass permit requirement for vehicle owners, following an interim injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State. The court’s decision came in response to a petition arguing that the tinted glass permit policy — recently revived nationwide — is unconstitutional, burdensome, and open to abuse.
🔍 Background & What Led to the Court Order
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In April 2025, the Nigeria Police Force reintroduced the tinted glass permit scheme under the Police Specialized Services Automation Project (POSSAP). The scheme requires both aftermarket and factory-fitted tinted vehicle windows to have permits.
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A deadline was initially set for motorists to comply by August 12, 2025, but later extended to October 2, 2025.
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Many motorists objected, especially over allegations of harassment at checkpoints, extortion, and the fairness of requiring permits even for factory-fitted or mild tint. Some human rights groups and lawyers challenged the policy in court.
📜 The Court Order
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The case in question is Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins against the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police. The Federal High Court in Warri granted an interim injunction ordering the Police and the IGP to suspend enforcement of the tinted glass permit requirement. The court also ordered them to maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes until the full case is heard.
⚠ Official Responses & Contradictions
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The FCT Police Command has stated that enforcement is suspended following receipt of the court order. SP Josephine Adeh confirmed this in an interview, saying that the directive to halt enforcement is in effect pending the court’s verdict.
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However, the Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, says they have not yet been formally served with the court order. Until official service, the force maintains that it is bound to follow due process.
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There is also debate among various Police Commands: some state commands, like Delta and Katsina, reportedly began or threatened enforcement before hearing about the court order. This has led to tensions between judicial pronouncements and operational actions on the ground.
🧩 Legal & Practical Implications
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Rule of Law & Citizens’ Rights: The court’s intervention underscores the importance of legal oversight when government policies affect citizens’ liberties — in this case, freedom to move, property, dignity.
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Uncertainty & Compliance: Because of conflicting messages and uneven implementation, many motorists are confused about whether they need to pay for permits now, and what happens if they don’t.
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Potential for Abuse: Critics argue that tinted permit enforcement has been used opportunistically for harassment and revenue-raising rather than genuine security, particularly in places where stops/checkpoints are routine. The suspension can mitigate potential abuses until clarity is achieved.
✅ What to Watch Going Forward
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Formal Service of Court Order – The police need to be officially served so there’s no ambiguity about the status of the injunction. As per CSP Hundeyin, they’re waiting for that.
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Final Judgment – What the court decides on the substantive case (constitutionality of the tinted permit policy) will set important precedent.
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Uniform Implementation – Ensuring that all state commands abide by the court order and halt enforcement until final decisions are made.
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Possible Reforms – If policy survives legal scrutiny, how it can be improved: clearer guidelines, less room for arbitrary enforcement, transparency in fees, safeguards against harassment.
🧭 Summary
The Nigeria Police’s tinted glass permit policy has been legally paused following a court order from Warri. While some state commands may have started enforcement, legally, the directive is clear: enforcement must wait till the court’s final decision. For motorists, the suspension brings immediate relief; but the larger questions about the policy’s fairness and its legality remain.
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