The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed the constitutional right of Nigerians to record police officers while carrying out their duties in public, in a landmark ruling delivered on Tuesday.
Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, who presided over the case marked FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, held that law enforcement officers must conduct themselves within the bounds of the law when engaging with members of the public.
“Police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens documenting their activities,” the court ruled.
The suit was filed by Maxwell Uwaifo, who challenged the actions of police officers over what he described as a violation of his fundamental rights.
In its judgment, the court awarded the applicant N5 million in damages for the breach of his rights, alongside an additional N2 million to cover litigation costs.
“The applicant is entitled to damages for the violation of his fundamental rights,” the court held, granting all the reliefs sought in the suit.
The ruling effectively reinforces the right of citizens to freely document police activities in public spaces without fear of harassment or retaliation, marking a significant development in the push for accountability within Nigeria’s policing system.
Reacting to the judgment, Uwaifo described it as a major step forward for civil liberties and transparency.
“This judgment has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” he said in a statement made available to journalists.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights,” he added.
Legal observers say the decision could set an important precedent for future cases involving citizens’ rights and law enforcement conduct in Nigeria.