₦airaland Forum

Court Upholds Nigerians’ Right to Film Police on Duty, Awards N7m D@mages for Rights Violation

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while they carry out their duties in public.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that 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 also awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in d@mages for the violation of his fundamental rights, alongside N2 million to cover litigation costs.

By granting all the reliefs sought, the court reinforced the right of Nigerians to freely document police actions in public spaces without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Uwaifo described the judgment as a major step forward for accountability.

“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” he said in a statement shared with newsmen on Tuesday.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights.”

This is a great win for the Nigerian Populace. This should help put the officers in checks knowing their activities is document on tape.

Where are all those people arguing blindly with me over this because of the BRT lady?
People like YoungBlackRico, erad, success1smyn, TimiofAbuja

Like say dem go obey court order

somethinggood:
Abi nooooooo iiii e good

What does this mean?? Just to be FTC

Great news... A clear mind fears no scrutiny

But wear your bullet proof or be surrounded by brave civilians before the filming. Many or most of those officers are eager and ready to k*ll.

eddie7:
Court Upholds Nigerians’ Right to Film Police on Duty, Awards N7m D@mages for Rights Violation

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while they carry out their duties in public.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that 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 also awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in d@mages for the violation of his fundamental rights, alongside N2 million to cover litigation costs.

By granting all the reliefs sought, the court reinforced the right of Nigerians to freely document police actions in public spaces without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Uwaifo described the judgment as a major step forward for accountability.

“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” he said in a statement shared with newsmen on Tuesday.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights.”

Na to dey carry fone waka remain
We will film their atrocities and put it on Netflix

Shay police Dey obey court order?

Nigeria police never do you strong thing before. You go keep that your phone for porket beg for freedom

This is commendable but we should be responsible doing it.

Never argue with a man with a gun!!!

People are less concerned now because it's not a tribal war

Good for our country and it's citizens

This is what we want the court to be, rule of law, no favourism for anybody, last hope for the common man. But unfortunately, APC don buy their conscience finish for election

Do that at your own peril

Court won't be there when dey kpai you throw way and still put allegations upon ya daed body

at least to some extent, the xourt is still d last hope of the common man

Great news... Policemen are public servants and can be recorded in a public space.

Avoid ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE .. DE@D MAN DNT TALK OO,NO EVIDENCE. That's ALL

immortalcrown:
But wear your bullet proof or be surrounded by brave civilians before the filming. Many or most of those officers are eager and ready to k*ll.

Because there is no consequence for crime among Nigerian elites and security personnel.

Nigerians
I'm very sure
They no fit pay him dat money

somethinggood:
This is a great win for the Nigerian Populace. This should help put the officers in checks knowing their activities is document on tape.

It's great news!
But....
Never struggle to record them when they outnumber you.
Most men of the Nigerian police are bitter and frustrated and will not hesitate to pull the trigger and tag it accidental discharge or claim that they gunned you down when you fired at them.

Here's a piece of advice for everyone - just before you go before an armed Nigerian policeman claiming your right, just know that he's already frustrated and can send you to your maker in frustration.

The ruling is good.
Why would you want to record a police officer on duty with his consent?
If you are to record a police officer, make sure you write your will and have insurance for your children.

Please do it from safe side, to avoid accidental discharge.

Larrycool1234:
Like say dem go obey court order

YOu dont know the police how quick they are to sack thier own,Dem go sack dem quick quick on face but on paper leave them and the ogas go dey collect thier salary still up to penssion.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that 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.



VIO never obey court order. FRSC don dey do police work. E remain how police go take obey the court order above. Police wey dey use danfo dey accost people for Lagos? Wey their personnel dey dye hair golden and male personnel dey wear earrings? Police wey dey wear skinny jeans and black vest come resemble cultists? Did I say resemble abi they be actual cultists? Police by day, cultist by night?

The judge just waste saliva on top this judgment.

Seefinish:
The ruling is good.
Why would you want to record a police officer on duty with his consent?
If you are to record a police officer, make sure you write your will and have insurance for your children.

we now have recording device that are hidden like the boton on your shirt, dash cam etc

That's a good one from wikes' men.

Please do it discreetly...make sure they don't know you are filming them.

A frustrated armed security personnel will always want to shoot I believe you have loved ones so be responsible while fighting for your right.

QuinQQ:
Where are all those people arguing blindly with me over this because of the BRT lady?
People like YoungBlackRico, erad, success1smyn, TimiofAbuja

Dude... Are you naturally dumb?

We clarified over and over again. Its about content creators who engage with people on the streets without seeking their consent first. What's the correlation between that and filming the police? Is the police a private citizen?

You're starting to get irritating because I don't know if you just choose not to comprehend things or you just don't have the capacity to comprehend.

Way to go!! Good thing for the Nigerian People

wait a second. did the police force at any point in time believe it was illegal to film their actions? especially when it was a civil matter? Police officers should be equipped with body cam to record all their activities.

to avoid......You go explain taya, evidence no dey