The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark judgement affirming the constitutional right of Nigerians to record police officers carrying out their duties in public.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, establishes a significant legal precedent for enhancing police accountability and protecting civil liberties.
The court mandated that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and are strictly prohibited from harassing, intimidating, arresting, or seizing the devices of citizens who are documenting their actions.
The judgement was issued in favor of the applicant, Mr. Maxwell Uwaifo, who was awarded ₦5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights, along with an additional ₦2 million to cover litigation costs. Mr. Uwaifo had sought declarations affirming that Nigerians are entitled, under Section 39 of the Constitution, to freely express themselves.
This right, the court agreed, explicitly includes the freedom to record and publish matters of public interest, with a specific emphasis on observing and documenting police conduct in public spaces.
The court granted all of the applicant’s prayers, thereby reinforcing the public’s right to document police activities without fear of reprisal. The decision serves as a strong deterrent against attempts by law enforcement to obstruct such recordings, which are vital for transparency and holding public officers accountable.
Ultimately, this judgment sets a clear legal standard, confirming that recording police operations in public is a legitimate exercise of constitutional rights and not a criminal act.
It underscores the principle that visible policing and public oversight are compatible and essential components of a democratic society governed by the rule of law.
