A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while carrying out their duties in public.
The landmark judgement is being widely viewed as a major step toward strengthening accountability, transparency, and civil liberties in the country.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that law enforcement officers must operate within the bounds of the law by wearing clearly visible name tags and displaying their force numbers while on duty.
The court further ruled that police officers must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens who are lawfully recording their activities in public spaces.
Damages Awarded
In the judgement obtained by Premium Times, the court awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, ₦5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights, along with an additional ₦2 million to cover the cost of litigation.
All reliefs sought by the applicant were granted, reinforcing citizens’ rights to document police conduct without fear of harassment or reprisal.
Applicant Reacts
Reacting to the ruling, Uwaifo described the decision as far-reaching and impactful.
“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights, ”he said.
Background of the Case
The suit, filed as a public interest litigation, challenged the legality of police stop-and-search operations conducted without proper identification by officers.
Respondents in the case included:
The Nigeria Police Force
The Police Service Commission
The Inspector-General of Police
The Attorney-General of the Federation
The case was brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, citing multiple provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, and 46, as well as relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Legal Implications
The court was asked to determine:
Whether citizens have the legal right to record police officers in public
Whether harassment or arrest for such recording constitutes a violation of fundamental rights
By ruling in favour of the applicant, the court has set a significant precedent that strengthens citizens’ rights and promotes responsible policing practices across Nigeria.
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Nigeria Police, Court Ruling, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Police Accountability, Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State, Maxwell Uwaifo, Nigerian Law, Public Interest Litigation, Constitutional Rights, Freedom of Expression, AdSense News
