When Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command announced on Wednesday, October 2, 2025, that his unit would begin enforcing the tinted glass permits requirement on Thursday, October 3, a surprising move unfolded: a Federal High Court in Warri had just issued an order freezing the same enforcement nationwide. The clash set the stage for a legal‑political showdown that could reshape how motorists are regulated across Nigeria.
Background to the Tinted‑Glass Permit Policy
In early October 2025 the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), acting on a directive from the Inspector‑General of Police, rolled out a country‑wide mandate: any vehicle with factory‑fitted or aftermarket tinted windows must obtain a digital permit via the Police Service Commission’s portal, possap.gov.ng. The reasoning, officials say, is to curb illegal vehicle modifications that impede law‑enforcement visibility and fuel illicit activities.
The regulation, dubbed the Tinted Glass Permit (TGP) scheme, requires owners to submit vehicle details, proof of ownership, and specifications of the tinting film. After an online application, officers conduct a physical verification at the local police headquarters before issuing a permit that expires every two years.
State‑Level Enforcement Plans
In Kaduna, Rabiu Muhammad, the state police commissioner, backed Hassan’s statement, emphasizing public safety. “Our command is committed to a secure environment,” he said, urging motorists to cooperate fully.
Meanwhile, Agbonika, commissioner of police in Edo State, warned that officers would begin impounding any car found with tinted glass lacking a valid permit. “We will not tolerate non‑compliance,” the Edo chief declared, adding that fines could reach ₦200,000 per violation.
Both states outlined a similar verification process: an online upload at the portal, followed by a visit to the respective command headquarters—Kaduna Command Headquarters for Kaduna drivers and the Benin City Police Command for Edo motorists.
Federal Court Intervention
Just hours after the state announcements, a three‑judge panel of the Federal High Court, Warri issued an interim injunction. The court ordered the NPF and the Inspector‑General to halt the nationwide enforcement of the TGP scheme until the pending case could be heard.
The injunction stemmed from John Aikpokpo‑Martins, a Lagos‑based legal practitioner, who filed Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025 challenging the legality of the directive. Aikpokpo‑Martins argues that the regulation oversteps the police’s statutory powers and infringes on citizens’ constitutional right to privacy.
Chief Justice Justice (name unavailable) noted that the petitioner had demonstrated a “prima facie case” that the permit requirement could be ultra vires. Consequently, the court demanded that the police “respect judicial processes” and maintain the status quo pending a full hearing.
Reactions from Law Enforcement and Legal Experts
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Edun, who leads the petitioner’s legal team, hailed the ruling as “a significant step toward upholding the rule of law while substantive issues are ironed out.” He warned that premature enforcement could erode public trust.
On the other side, NPF spokesperson Mansir Hassan maintained that the police were “acting in good faith” and would comply with any final court order. “Our aim is safety, not intimidation,” he said.
The Police Service Commission, the body that hosts the online permit portal, issued a brief statement noting that it would cooperate fully with the court and adjust its rollout timetable accordingly.
Implications for Motorists and Next Steps
For everyday drivers, the immediate impact is mixed. In Kaduna and Edo, police are set to begin spot checks this Thursday, meaning anyone caught without a permit could face a fine, vehicle impoundment, or, in extreme cases, arrest. Yet the court’s injunction creates a legal gray area: the NPF is barred from a nationwide push, but state commands appear to be moving ahead regardless.
Legal analysts predict that the case will likely be heard in full by early December, when the Federal High Court will decide whether the TGP scheme aligns with existing traffic and privacy statutes. If the court ultimately strikes down the regulation, states may have to scrap their enforcement plans and refund any collected fees.
In the meantime, motorist groups across the country are urging the police to pause enforcement until a definitive ruling emerges. Social media hashtags like #StopTintedPermit have gained traction, reflecting public frustration over what many view as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle.
Key Facts
- Date of state enforcement start: Thursday, October 3 2025
- Court injunction issued: Friday, October 2 2025, by the Federal High Court, Warri
- Petitioner: John Aikpokpo‑Martins (Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025)
- Potential penalties: Fines up to ₦200,000, vehicle impoundment, possible arrest
- Online portal for permits: possap.gov.ng
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the enforcement affect vehicle owners in Kaduna?
Kaduna motorists must log onto possap.gov.ng, submit their vehicle details and tint specifications, and then present the printed confirmation at the Kaduna Command Headquarters for verification. Failure to present a valid permit after Thursday, Oct 3 could lead to a fine of ₦150,000 or vehicle impoundment until the paperwork is sorted.
What legal basis did the Federal High Court cite for halting the nationwide rollout?
The court noted that the petitioner demonstrated a plausible claim that the TGP directive exceeds the statutory powers granted to the police under the Criminal Procedure Act and infringes on constitutional privacy rights. Until the full merits are examined, the court ordered a status‑quo freeze.
Who filed the lawsuit challenging the tinted‑glass permit requirement?
The case was filed by Lagos‑based attorney John Aikpokpo‑Martins on October 1, 2025, under Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, arguing that the regulation is ultra vires and violates motorists’ rights.
What penalties can motorists face if they ignore the permit rule?
Police may levy fines ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000, seize the vehicle for up to 30 days, or, in cases where the driver refuses to cooperate, arrest them on obstruction of justice grounds.
When is the next court hearing expected?
The Federal High Court has scheduled a substantive hearing for the case on 15 December 2025, at which both the NPF and the petitioner will present detailed arguments and evidence.
Sports
Michelle Roque
October 5, 2025 AT 22:05Looks like the police are really pushin the envelope with these permits.
Killian Lecrut
October 7, 2025 AT 01:52Oh wow, another “public safety” crusade-because nothing says safety like a 200k fine for tinted windows. Guess we’ll all be lining up at the portal while the sun shines through our newly “transparent” rides. Good luck getting that shiny permit before your car gets impounded!
Joshua Rainey
October 8, 2025 AT 05:38The whole saga feels like a reality‑show episode where the scriptwriters forgot the rulebook. First the police announce a crackdown, then the court hits pause, and now the states act like the injunction is optional. Drivers are left scratching their heads, wondering if they should apply for a permit that might never be honored. Meanwhile the legal team argues about constitutional privacy while the traffic police are busy checking tint shades. It’s almost comedic how quickly the bureaucracy can spin a simple safety measure into a national controversy. Every day a new headline pops up, and each one sounds more dramatic than the last. The public hears about fines, impoundments, and possible arrests, and suddenly a tinted window feels like a crime scene. But the real question is whether any of this actually improves road safety or just fills government coffers. Experts point out that a simple visual check could be done without a digital permit and a thousand paperwork forms. Yet the police insist the permits are needed to “curb illegal modifications,” whatever that really means. The court’s injunction shows that there’s at least a legal concern about overreach, but the enforcement continues anyway. It’s a classic tug‑of‑war between authority and individual rights that feels endless. Drivers are forced to choose between paying money they might later get refunded or risking their car being seized. In the meantime hashtags like #StopTintedPermit trend, proving that people aren’t thrilled about this drama. Until a final verdict lands, we’re all stuck watching the next episode of “who will enforce what and when.”
Gail Robb
October 9, 2025 AT 09:25If you measure freedom by the color of glass, you’ve missed the point; liberty isn’t about how much shade you can block, it’s about the light you let in. The state’s heavy‑handed approach feels more like a philosophical statement than a safety measure, and that’s where the contradiction lies.
andy heri
October 10, 2025 AT 13:12Hey folks, I get the frustration but let’s keep the conversation constructive. If you’re worried about the fines, the first step is to check the portal early and get the paperwork sorted. A little planning now can save a big headache later, and the police have actually offered help at the headquarters. Stay calm, follow the process, and we’ll all get through this with fewer bumps.
Jeremy Perlman
October 11, 2025 AT 16:58Listen, the permit system isn’t some random bureaucracy, it’s a structured, digitized process designed to standardize vehicle modifications, ensure compliance, and ultimately protect both drivers and pedestrians, so if you think it’s just a money‑grabbing scheme, you’re overlooking the multi‑layered safety protocols that the police have meticulously drafted, and that’s why the portal exists, to provide transparency, accountability, and a clear audit trail for every tinted vehicle on the road.
George Georgakopoulos
October 12, 2025 AT 20:45There’s definitely a hidden agenda here-maybe the government wants to track every car’s movements under the guise of “safety.” When you think about it, granting a digital permit gives authorities a data point they can exploit, and that’s why people are skeptical. The whole thing smells like surveillance dressed up as public service.
Urmil Pathak
October 14, 2025 AT 00:32The police say it’s for safety but the court says it might be too much power. It’s confusing for drivers who just want to drive home.
Neha Godambe
October 15, 2025 AT 04:18Dear motorists, while the intention behind the tinted‑glass permits may appear commendable, the abrupt enforcement without respecting judicial orders undermines the very principle of rule of law. It is imperative that authorities align their actions with court directives to preserve public trust and legal integrity.
rupesh kantaria
October 16, 2025 AT 08:05In deliberation of the constitutional ramifications, one must consider whether the executive edict transgresses the statutory confines allocated to law‑enforcement agencies. The petitioner’s position, albeit rife with legal precedent, warrants meticulous examination; any oversight could precipitate a jurisprudential quagmire, thereby jeopardising the sanctity of private property rights and the autonomy of vehicular proprietors.
Nathan Tuon
October 17, 2025 AT 11:52Let’s try to find common ground. The police want clear visibility, the courts want due process, and drivers just want to avoid hassles. A collaborative approach, perhaps a temporary moratorium while the legal arguments are hashed out, could keep everyone’s interests balanced.
MD Imran Ansari
October 18, 2025 AT 15:38🚗💨 Hey everyone, if you’re stuck figuring out this permit thing, here’s a quick cheat‑sheet: 1️⃣ Grab your vehicle registration, 2️⃣ Snap a photo of your tint, 3️⃣ Upload to possap.gov.ng, 4️⃣ Swing by the local command for verification, 5️⃣ Walk away with a shiny permit. It sounds like a lot, but trust me, it’s smoother than getting your car impounded. 🌟👍
walaal sanjay
October 19, 2025 AT 19:25It’s absurd that foreign‑inspired regulations are being forced on Nigerian drivers, especially when local authorities could devise simpler, culturally appropriate solutions, and the over‑reliance on digital permits only serves to alienate the very citizens they claim to protect, therefore we must demand a home‑grown approach that respects our sovereignty and practical realities.
Umesh Nair
October 20, 2025 AT 23:12Yo, that cheat‑sheet is cool but i think the portal crashes a lot, plus u gotta wait in line at the command, so it’s not as smooth as u said. Maybe they should fix the system first.
Mayur Sutar
October 22, 2025 AT 02:58Totally get the sarcasm, but let’s stay hopeful-if the police and courts can talk it out, we might see a fair compromise soon, and drivers won’t have to stress over tinted windows.