Recording police officers isn’t an offence, judge rules in Benin

The Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court, Benin City, has ruled out a case against one Vision Nelson, who was accused of filming a police arrest.

The New Etete police division had arrested Nelson on July 26, 2023, for recording the arrest of one Brighton Odion in the city.

Nelson was charged to court for taking pictures and videos of the arrest with his mobile phone.

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Brighton, who the police arrested for violating the governor’s tricycle ban order, was also charged to court.

The accused were defended by Edo State civil society organisations through Barrister Dele Igbinedion’s chamber.

Ruling out the charges, the magistrate said that “videoing or recording in a public place is not an offence, citizens have rights to do recordings anywhere, anytime”.

The judge ruled out the case for a lack of merit.