Why A Camera Outweighs Ten Witnesses In Court
IN Nigeria’s courts, the reliability of human testimony is often undermined by fear, memory lapses, or external pressure. Witnesses can forget critical details, alter their statements under intimidation, or even vanish entirely. Legal experts, however, stress that video evidence offers a solution: it provides an unshakable, impartial account of events that human witnesses cannot match.
A video captures the reality of an incident with precision, documenting time, place, and behavior without bias or exaggeration. Unlike witnesses, it cannot be bribed, threatened, or influenced by rank or authority. Courts increasingly value visual recordings, recognizing them as strong, credible evidence capable of protecting the innocent and exposing abuses of power. Lawyers note that a single video has, in multiple cases, overturned wrongful arrests, held law enforcement accountable, and ensured justice where human testimony fell short.
The implications for civic accountability are profound. For citizens, recording encounters with police or public officials is not merely a precaution—it is a legal safeguard. Experts advise that deleting or yielding to intimidation undermines personal protection and public accountability. In the courtroom, a video speaks louder than words, embodying impartiality and truth. Its presence can transform justice from theory into reality.
