Law Made Simple

Is It a Crime to Record Someone in Public Without Their Consent?

You’re walking back from class for example , looking so tired, probably not even looking your best, that day perhaps you had very low energy to look like you would normally look . When suddenly, someone points a camera at your face.

At first, you think maybe it was a mistake.But a few hours later, you open TikTok or Instagram and realise you’ve become part of somebody’s “content.”

Maybe it was a prank video. Maybe a street interview. Maybe you were just passing by in the background. Funny?Maybe, Uncomfortable? very possible.

And it raises an important question:

Can someone legally record you in public without your consent?

These days, almost everybody is creating content. Phones are everywhere. Cameras are everywhere. From vloggers to prank creators to random “public interviews,” people are constantly recording moments around them.

Sometimes it feels harmless. Sometimes it feels invasive.

But, what does the law actually say?

The truth is, the answer is not as straightforward as “yes” or “no.”

Generally, when you are in a public place, your expectation of privacy is lower than when you are in a private space. That is one reason why people can record public events, crowded places, concerts, roads, and other open environments without necessarily committing a crime.

So, simply appearing in someone’s video in public is not automatically illegal.But that does not mean people have unlimited freedom to record others however they want.

However, the situation changes when the recording begins to cross certain lines.

For example, recording someone in a way that humiliates, harasses, threatens, or invades their dignity can become legally problematic. The same applies where the recording is used for cyberbullying, defamation, blackmail, or sexual harassment.

Imagine someone secretly recording another person in a vulnerable situation just to post it online for laughs or attention. At that point, the issue is no longer “just content.” Questions of privacy, dignity, and even cyberstalking can arise.

Under Nigerian law, certain rights are protected, including the right to dignity of the human person and, in some situations, privacy rights. The Cybercrimes Act may also become relevant where online harassment or harmful digital conduct is involved.

This means that while recording in public may not always be a crime, it all depends on the purpose, manner, and effect of the recording and it matters a whole lot.

Honestly, beyond legality, there is also the human side of it. Not everything should become content. Creators this days in a quest to always have clicks and engagement just post anything at any time. No discipline nothing. Social media has made people forget that strangers are still human beings deserving of respect. Sometimes, in the rush to go viral, basic courtesy disappears completely.

You see creators putting cameras in random people’s faces without warning. The height of it is having to record emotional moments. Recording vulnerable situations. Recording people who clearly look uncomfortable. Instead of being swift about helping people at times the first thing on their thought is to bring out a camera.

And the excuse is usually: “But it’s public.”

Yes, it may be public. But public does not always mean permissionless.Consent still matters. Respect still matters. Sometimes, the better question is not just: “Can I record this?”

But: “Should I?”because not everything legal is respectful.

At the end of the day, the law tries to balance two things: freedom in public spaces and protection of human dignity. And in a digital age where almost everything can end up online within seconds, that balance matters more than ever.

So, is it a crime to record someone in public without their consent?Not always.

But depending on how the recording is done and what it is used for, it can cross legal and ethical boundaries very quickly. Exactly that is the real conversation we should be having.

Law Made Simple — where we don’t just read the law, we understand it.

When I started the Weekly Law Drop, honestly I was anxious. It felt like one of those ideas that pops up and sound good in your head, but you are not entirely sure you can keep up with it. Truly it is not just about the start of a thing but actually the continuation and successful finish.

Posting every week, showing up consistently, putting your thoughts out there, it can be a lot and it takes a lot of courage.

But somehow, here we are we are wrapping up with this. Isn’t that so beautiful?

Looking back now, this series became more than just another content idea. It became structure. It became discipline. It became something that pushed me even on days I did not feel like showing up.

I did not even think I was going to be this consistent. Consistency has always being a concept that worried me .

At the beginning, it was just something I wanted to try. But once I started putting it out there, I mean everything literally changed. I would post anticipation updates on my status and on my broadcast list.Funny how it could sometimes even be before I had fully planned the content. And because I had already told people it was coming, I had to deliver. That’s who I am actually once I make it known to others that I’m doing a particular thing I’m definitely going to pull it off and if it’s on the otherwise too trust me to stay true to my word.

The simple act of putting it out there created accountability for me. It got to a point where people started expecting it. If I had not posted, I would get messages asking about the next drop. Some of my friends would even come to my DM to remind me. I mean that alone pushed me on days when I felt tired or unmotivated.

The support I got was real and I don’t ever take it for granted. People around me shared my posts, some were more intentional to give feedback, and encouraged me. Even strangers reached out with compliments and kind words. Those moments meant a lot more than I expected. They gave me the motivation I needed to keep going. It entirely made the writing worth it and I felt so heard

At some point, it stopped feeling forced. The motivation started coming naturally.

Beyond consistency, this series really improved my research skills. I had to read more, think deeper, and actually understand what I was writing before putting it out. It was no longer just about knowing the law for exams. It became about explaining it in a way that people can relate to and understand in real life. As someone who doesn’t like having things complicated doing it with law stuffs just came naturally and I was glad to share.

That shift changed a lot for me.

From writing about domestic violence, to discussing EFCC and corruption, to something as relatable as dealing with a noisy neighbour, and to the concept of suing someone in Nigeria.I began to see clearly that the law is not distant. It is not abstract. It is part of our everyday lives.

This experience also taught me something very simple but very important that You do not need a perfect plan to start. You just need to start.

I did not have everything figured out when I began this series. But starting gave me direction. It gave me something to build on. And over time, it became something people actually looked forward to. It helped me never to go blank on contents.

What to do to help your consistency to

1. Just start: You just need to start you don’t necessarily have to have it all figured out or begin to wait for the right time to post. You should never think there’s a particular order your content has to follow. I also felt like if I post this particular thing is it really necessary at this time for people? But the answer I always gave myself overtime is that since my vision is not just for now it would be of help in the future.

2) You can look at having a series: This definitely is a hack that I have observed that many content creators use. Some call it challenge for example “Day1 of talking to the camera” and they just keep going on and on without ever lacking what to post. Placing your content on a series helps honestly it would seem like a streak that you wouldn’t want to break.

3) Make sure to surround yourself with positive people

To everyone who followed this journey, whether you liked, shared, commented, or even just read quietly, I appreciate you. This was not just about posting content. It was about growth. It was about showing up. It was about becoming better, one week at a time.

And I am just getting started. If you’re a creator/ writer like me I hope this motivates you and get you to start and if you already started and just paused for one reason or another this is a time for you to get back on track.

Law Made Simple

Where we do not just read the law, we understand it.

How to Sue Someone in Nigeria: What It Really Takes

You’ve probably said it before, or at least heard someone say it: “I will sue you.”

It’s one of those statements people throw around when they’re angry or frustrated. But if we’re being honest, how many people actually understand what it means to sue someone, or what it really takes to go through that process?

Even as law students, we understand the theory, but not everyone has sat down to break it into real, practical steps.So let’s talk about it.

Suing someone simply means going to court to enforce a legal right. In simple terms, you believe someone has wronged you, the law recognizes that wrong, and you’re asking the court to step in and resolve it. The person bringing the action is called the claimant, while the person being sued is the defendant.

But before you even think of going to court, there are a few things you need to get straight.

First, you need to know if you actually have a case? In law, this is what we call a cause of action. It’s not enough to feel wronged, the law has to recognize that wrong. The court will want to know what right of yours has been violated and whether that right is one the law can protect. It’s not every wrong that’s enforceable .

This point was made clear in Adesokan v. Adegorolu, where the court emphasized that without a valid cause of action, a case cannot stand.

Then there’s evidence. Court is not the place for assumptions or storytelling. If you’re making a claim, you have to prove it. Documents, agreements, messages, witnesses, all of these matter. The principle is simple he who asserts must prove. So if you’re saying someone owes you money or breached an agreement, you need to show it.

Another thing people often ignore is settlement. Not every issue needs to end in court. In fact, many disputes can be resolved through simple negotiation or mediation. Litigation takes time, energy, and money, so it’s always worth asking if the matter can be settled before taking it further.

You also need to consider time. The law does not allow you to delay forever. There are limitation periods for different types of cases, and once that time passes, you may lose your right to sue completely.

Now, let’s say you’ve thought it through and you’re ready to go ahead.

The first step is to speak to a lawyer. Yes, you can represent yourself, but legal procedure is not as straightforward as it looks. A lawyer helps you understand whether your case is even worth pursuing and guides you through the right steps.

Next is choosing the right court. This is where many people get it wrong. Not every court has the authority to hear every case. This is what we call jurisdiction. For example, Magistrate Courts handle smaller claims, while High Courts handle more serious or complex matters. In Madukolu v. Nkemdilim, the Supreme Court made it clear that once a court lacks jurisdiction, everything done in that case is invalid. In other words, if you start in the wrong court, you’ve already lost valuable time.

In some situations, especially when you’re suing a government body, you’ll need to issue a pre-action notice. This is basically a formal way of saying you intend to sue, giving the other party a chance to respond or settle before things escalate. Skipping this step where it is required can affect your case.

Once that is settled, the case is formally started by filing the necessary documents in court. This usually includes a writ of summons, a statement of claim, and supporting documents. Filing fees are also paid at this stage.

After filing, the defendant must be notified. This is called service of process. It’s a very important step because the law requires that the other party is aware of the case and given an opportunity to respond. Without proper service, the case cannot proceed.

The defendant will then file a response, usually in the form of a statement of defence, and may even bring a counterclaim if they believe they also have a case against you.

Before the actual trial begins, the court may hold a pre-trial session to narrow down the issues and encourage settlement one more time. If settlement doesn’t happen, the case proceeds to trial.

At the trial, both sides present their cases. Witnesses are called, documents are tendered, and each side has the opportunity to question the other. This is where everything comes together and the judge evaluates the facts.

After this, the lawyers make their final arguments, explaining why the court should decide in their client’s favour. Then the court delivers its judgment. The judgment may award damages, order a party to do or stop doing something, or dismiss the case entirely.

But even after winning, enforcement may still be necessary. If the losing party refuses to comply, the court can step in through processes like garnishee proceedings or seizure of property to ensure the judgment is carried out.

At this point, you can already tell that suing someone is not as simple as saying it. It takes time, effort, and money. Some cases are resolved in months, while others take years, depending on the complexity and how the parties handle the process.

This is why it’s always important to approach litigation carefully. As seen in A.G. Federation v. Abubakar, the court system is structured and procedural. It’s not driven by эмоtions but by law, evidence, and proper steps.

So the next time you hear someone say, “I will sue you,” or you find yourself about to say it, just remember that it’s not just a statement. It’s a process, and a serious one at that.

At the end of the day, the goal is not just to go to court, but to achieve justice in the most effective way possible. Sometimes that means litigation, and sometimes it simply means resolving the issue before it even gets there.

.        You read the case. You understood it.

You even highlighted it. But in the exam hall…“In a decided case…” If you’ve ever been here, you’re not alone.

The actual problem is not that you didn’t read.The problem is what you do to read. The thing is most of us read cases like stories, not like tools and when it’s time to use them in the exam hall, everything just disappears and your brain fails to remind you.

Over time, I’ve realised that remembering cases is not just about cramming everything. It’s about understanding what works for you.

Different Ways to Read and Remember Cases

Not everyone studies the same way. It’s a now known fact some of us are the all nighters, some of us are the midnight Watchmen etc .Here are a few methods that actually work:

1. The “Understand First” Method : This is for people who like clarity. They read to literally know about the concept and even be able to defend it.

Instead of trying to cram the whole case, focus on:

i.What the legal principle is?In law, one thing leads to another, there’s always a principle and basics to every concept and that’s where understanding should begin.

ii. Why was this case decided this way?Personally, what works for me is that I try to break cases down to the concept behind them because once you understand the principle,

you can always explain it even if you forget small details.

2. The “Create Scenarios” Method: 

This one is underrated. When I read cases, I sometimes create personal or imaginary scenarios in my head.I ask myself:

“What if this happened to me?”It makes the case more real and easier to remember seeing anything related to the case my brain just connects and yes it becomes useful.

3. The “Less Is More” Method

This one changed everything for me.You don’t need 10 cases for one topic.

Sometimes: 2–3 strong, well-understood cases are enough Personally I believe cases are not meant to impress your lecturer.They are meant to support what you understand. Reading quite a lot of cases and trying to

4. The “Say It Out Loud” Method Before exams, I try to:

1.Speak cases out loud

2.Explain them like I’m teaching someone: You’d be surprised how much you remember when you hear yourself say it.

Let me quickly illustrate to us a practical application of the method that actually works for me .

How I Would Read a Case

Let’s take a popular case on false imprisonment: Bird v Jones

A man (Bird) was walking on a public bridge.Part of the bridge was blocked off for an event, and he was stopped from going forward. He could still go back the way he came but he insisted on passing through.

When he was prevented, he sued for false imprisonment. The court held that this was NOT false imprisonment.

Why?because he was not completely restricted. He still had a way to leave.

NOW,to make you understand better

Step 1: Understand the Principle

From this case, I’ll ask: What is the rule here?

False imprisonment requires total restraint.Not just partial restriction.

Step 2: Create a Scenario

Then I imagine: What if I’m in school and someone blocks one gate, but I can still leave through another?

That is NOT false imprisonment. But if all exits are blocked? That’s false imprisonment.

Step 3: Reduce It to One Line

Bird v Jones → No false imprisonment if there is a way to escape

Step 4: Say It Out Loud

Then I can explain it like: “In Bird v Jones, the court held that there is no false imprisonment where the claimant is only partially restricted and still has a means of escape.”

You sure must have gotten the concept now right? Good!

The hard truth is that you cannot do everything at once. You can’t: cram everything, understand everything deeply, memorise perfectly. It’s difficult and that’s okay. The goal is to find what works best for you and stick to it.

Finally, the exam hall is not the place to start remembering cases.It’s the place to recall what you’ve already understood. So next time you’re reading cases, ask yourself:“Do I understand this… or am I just reading it?”

Remember it’s not all perfection try things that works best for you. Till I come your way again stay blessed.

Continue reading “What 90% of Law Students Get Wrong About Exams (And How I Avoided the Pressure)”