Court clears Nigerians to record police on duty

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ruled that Nigerians have the right to record police officers while they are working in public.

The judge, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, said police officers must wear clear name tags and show their service numbers. He also said officers must not harass, threaten, arrest, or seize phones from people who are recording them.

The case was filed by Maxwell Uwaifo, who said his rights were violated. The court agreed with him and awarded him ₦5 million as compensation and ₦2 million to cover legal costs.

The court supported all his requests, confirming that citizens can record police activities in public without fear.

Uwaifo described the judgment as very important, saying it will improve police accountability and protect citizens’ rights across Nigeria.

The case challenged police stop-and-search operations where officers did not properly identify themselves.

Those involved 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 case was based on the 1999 Constitution and laws protecting human rights, including freedom, dignity, and expression.