Nigerians Have Right to Record Police Officers, Lawyers Say

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Olu Daramola, Olalekan Ojo, and Isiaka Olagunju, have affirmed that Nigerians possess the right to record police officers while they perform their duties in public spaces. Daramola cited a judgment from the Federal High Court in the case of Maxwell Uwaifor vs Inspector-General of Police, delivered by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, which established this right and remains binding since March of the previous year.

Ojo noted that recording police activities can enhance transparency and preserve evidence, although he warned that such actions might pose risks to citizens in certain situations. Olagunju acknowledged the IG's concerns regarding privacy and safety but argued for the encouragement of recording police officers who do not fulfill their duties properly.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had criticized the court's decision, calling it "very, very demoralising" for the police. Daramola emphasized that the law aligns with Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, and prohibits police from seizing mobile phones or deleting recorded footage.