Court Upholds Right to Film Police in Public Spaces

On Tuesday, May 10, 2025, the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, delivered a judgment affirming the constitutional right of Nigerians to record police officers during public duties, particularly during stop-and-search operations. Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa ruled on a suit filed by Maxwel Nosakhar Uwaifo, who sought judicial clarification after an encounter with police officers who allegedly harassed him while he attempted to record their actions.

The court mandated that police officers must wear visible name tags and display force numbers during public operations to ensure proper identification. The judgment also declared unlawful any police action that involves harassment, intimidation, or the seizure of recording devices from citizens.

Uwaifo was awarded N5,000,000 in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights, along with N2,000,000 for legal costs. The ruling emphasized the importance of public accountability in law enforcement and directed the Police Service Commission to issue guidelines to ensure compliance.