The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has issued a landmark ruling affirming that Nigerians are constitutionally permitted to record police officers while performing their duties in public spaces.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa ruled that officers must wear clearly visible name tags and display their force numbers. The court further held that security personnel must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or confiscate devices from individuals documenting their activities.
The court also awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights, along with N2 million as litigation costs.
By granting all the reliefs sought, the ruling strengthens citizens’ rights to document police conduct without fear of interference or retaliation.
Reacting to the decision, Uwaifo described it as a significant boost for accountability, noting that it carries far-reaching implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public oversight in Nigeria.
