Nigerians Free to Record Police on Duty, Court Says

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ruled that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while performing their duties in public.

Delivering the judgement in suit No. FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and refrain from harassing, intimidating, arresting, or confiscating devices from citizens recording their activities. 

The court awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights, along with an additional N2 million as cost of litigation. 

All the reliefs sought by the applicant were granted, reinforcing the right of citizens to document police conduct in public spaces without fear of harassment or reprisal. 

Reacting to the judgement, Uwaifo described it as far-reaching, noting that it has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability in Nigeria. 

The suit, filed as a public interest litigation, challenged the legality of police stop-and-search operations carried out without officers displaying proper identification.

Respondents in the case included the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The action was brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The court was asked to determine whether citizens can lawfully record police officers and whether harassment or arrest for such actions amounts to a violation of fundamental rights.

The ruling affirms that citizens have the right to document public officials performing their duties, particularly in public spaces, as part of constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression and accountability.