A Federal High Court on Wednesday rules that Nigerians have a constitutional right to record police officers while they perform duties in public spaces, a decision that could reshape interactions between law enforcement and the public.
Justice H. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, declared that officers must wear visible name tags and display their force numbers on duty.
The court prohibited police from harassing, arresting, or seizing recording devices from civilians.
NewsQuestbreports that the ruling stemmed from a public interest lawsuit filed by Maxwell Uwaifo, who alleged violations of his fundamental rights during an unlawful stop-and-search by unidentified officers.
The court awarded Mr. Uwaifo ₦5 million in damages and ₦2 million in litigation costs.
Respondents included the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court granted all of Mr. Uwaifo’s requests, grounding the right to film in constitutional freedoms of expression and emphasizing police accountability.
The decision arrives as a result of persistent scrutiny of police conduct, heightened by the 2020 #EndSARS protests that led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit accused of brutality and extortion.
The verdict has been hailed as a milestone for civil liberties, potentially curbing abuses and promoting transparency nationwide.
