Outrage as IG warns against police filming

Human rights organisations, the African Action Congress and the Nigerian Bar Association have united in defence of Nigerians’ constitutional right to record police officers performing public duties, following a clash between NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya and Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu over the practice.

According to The Punch, Amnesty International Country Director Isa Sanusi said anything obstructing policing transparency “cannot be justified,” while Committee for the Defence of Human Rights General Secretary Gerald Katchy argued: “Those who have nothing to hide have no reason to be afraid of being recorded.”

The controversy follows a March 17 Federal High Court judgment in Warri affirming citizens’ constitutional right to film officers during public operations and directing police to display their names and force numbers on duty.

The AAC cited Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression as legal backing for the practice.