A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed that Nigerians have the right to record police officers while they are carrying out their duties in public spaces.
Delivering the ruling, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa stated that police officers are required to wear visible name tags and clearly display their service numbers.
He also emphasized that officers must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or confiscate devices from individuals recording them.
The case was instituted by Maxwell Uwaifo, who alleged that his fundamental rights were violated. The court ruled in his favour, awarding him ₦5 million in damages and an additional ₦2 million to cover legal expenses.
The judgment upheld all the reliefs sought, confirming that citizens are legally permitted to document police activities in public without interference.
Uwaifo described the decision as significant, noting that it would strengthen police accountability and safeguard citizens’ rights across the country.
The suit arose from concerns over police stop-and-search operations, during which officers reportedly failed to properly identify themselves.
Parties 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 ruling was grounded in provisions of the 1999 Constitution and relevant human rights laws, particularly those relating to personal liberty, dignity, and freedom of expression.
