A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has affirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to record police officers conducting stop-and-search operations in public spaces. He had sought a judicial pronouncement on the constitutionality of police officers conducting stop-and-search operations without visible name tags and force numbers, as well as the right of citizens to record such officers. Justice Nganjiwa, while delivering judgment in the matter, held that “Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers performing their duties in public”. The judge also ruled that “officers must wear visible name tags and display force numbers or proper identification during public operations”. Civil rights groups have repeatedly called for improved police accountability, including the use of proper identification by officers during public operations.

Source: Punch March 18, 2026 18:46 UTC