CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD PUBLIC OFFICIALS: CEHRAWS CONDEMNS SEIZURE OF PHONES BY SECURITY OPERATIVES AT CHECKPOINTS. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE

 PRESS RELEASE

August 23, 2025

CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD PUBLIC OFFICIALS: CEHRAWS CONDEMNS SEIZURE OF PHONES BY SECURITY OPERATIVES AT CHECKPOINTS

The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) reaffirms that Nigerian citizens have a constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to record, video, or otherwise document the conduct of public officials, including police officers and military personnel while on duty. Any act of intimidation, harassment, or confiscation of devices from citizens engaged in such lawful activity is a gross violation of both constitutional rights and Nigeria’s binding international obligations.

Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to “receive and impart information and ideas without interference.” Section 37 guarantees privacy, but that safeguard does not and cannot shield public officials in the discharge of their official duties. Equally, under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, every individual has the right to receive information and to express and disseminate opinions within the law. The Charter is part of Nigeria’s domestic law and binding on all authorities.

We are deeply concerned by credible reports that military personnel, particularly in the South East, have made it routine to seize phones and devices from citizens at checkpoints simply on suspicion of recording. This practice is unlawful, oppressive, and antithetical to democratic accountability. No provision of the Police Act 2020, the Armed Forces Act, or the Cybercrimes Act 2015 authorizes such conduct.

As Justice Louis Brandeis rightly noted, “Sunlight is the best of disinfectants.” Likewise, Scripture in Ephesians 5:11 enjoins us to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Citizens recording public officials is not an act of subversion; it is an act of vigilance that strengthens both democracy and public safety.

CEHRAWS therefore calls on the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately issue binding directives to all commands and formations, explicitly prohibiting the illegal seizure or destruction of citizens’ devices at checkpoints. The culture of impunity that thrives on secrecy must end.

We remind the authorities that the camera is not a weapon against the state; it is a shield of accountability protecting both citizens and officials. To criminalize transparency is to criminalize democracy itself.

Signed:

Okoye, Chuka Peter

Executive Director, CEHRAWS

cehraws@gmail.com  |  +234(0)803-552-9865.