Nigeria police recording controversy

Overview

Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has called on Nigerians to exercise restraint when recording police officers, stating that using footage for social media skits is “very, very demoralising” for personnel. While acknowledging the right to record officers performing duties in public, Disu expressed concern over citizens recording officers during private moments or for the purpose of ridicule.

Following these comments, the Nigeria Police Force issued a clarification through New Media Officer Aliyu Giwa, stating the force does not oppose recording but is concerned about misuse and intrusions into officers' dignity and privacy.

In response, legal experts and Senior Advocates of Nigeria asserted that citizens have a legal right to record officers in public spaces. They cited a Federal High Court judgment, Maxwell Uwaifor v IG, which ruled that such documentation is protected under the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The court ruling also mandated that officers display visible name tags and force numbers, while prohibiting the seizure of mobile phones or the deletion of recorded footage.

Entities

Nigeria Police Force · Federal High Court · Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya · Aliyu Giwa · Tunji Disu

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Nigeria Police Force clarifies stance on citizens recording officers
The Nigeria Police Force clarified that the Inspector-General does not ban recording officers, focusing instead on preventing misuse for entertainment, despite legal arguments supporting the right to record.
4 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Nigeria IGP urges restraint in recording police for social media skits
Nigeria's IGP Tunji Disu has urged citizens to stop using recordings of police officers for social media skits, calling the practice demoralising while acknowledging the right to record public duties.

Sources

chronicle.ng · lagostelevision.com · pointblanknews.com · punchng.com · thenigerialawyer.com · thisdaylive.com