The Nigerian police have again reminded citizens that bail is free and that no officer is allowed to demand money before releasing a suspect in a bailable offence. In a video circulating online, a senior police officer explains what bail means under Nigerian law and why paying for it is illegal. Nigerians who are asked to pay for bail have been told to call 080-570-00001 to report the officers.
What Is Bail?
According to the officer, bail is a process that allows a suspect to leave police custody while an investigation continues. "Bail is a process in a criminal investigation where a suspect is released to a reliable surety to produce him back whenever needed. Bail is not a punishment. Bail is not a sentence. So, the Nigerian law does not permit anyone to collect money for bail," the officer said.
Granting bail for a bailable offence is an administrative tool to prevent police cells from becoming overcrowded while investigations are ongoing. It requires a surety – a reliable person who guarantees the suspect will return – an Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to process the paperwork, and a bail bond – a legal document that ensures the suspect will appear in court. The bail bond costs nothing and requires no financial deposit.
What to Do If an Officer Demands Money
Rather than arguing with officers at the station, the police advise Nigerians to report any demand for bail money. In the video, citizens are asked to call 080-570-00001 immediately if they are asked to pay before a suspect can be released. The officer says the complaint line exists to help Nigerians report officers involved in illegal demands for money.
The Reality: Why Many Nigerians Don't Believe It
For decades, fear of what happens inside the cell has forced families to empty their savings accounts to pay for bail. An investigation by Amnesty International into the notorious "Tiger Base" anti-kidnapping unit in Owerri exposed severe torture, windowless cells, and forced false confessions used to extort millions of naira from terrified relatives under the guise of bail.
In Rivers State, human rights lawyers recently raised alarms over the Octopus Unit in Port Harcourt, where a detainee was severely beaten, slapped, and stripped of his personal belongings – each item given a "separate price tag" to be returned – before being extorted of ₦180,000 for his release. In 2024, an investigation by Punch documented multiple accounts from Nigerians who said they were asked to pay for bail despite the force's insistence that it is free. The report noted that the police have repeatedly relaunched the "Bail is Free" campaign and encouraged victims to report officers involved in extortion, but acknowledged that illegal demands persist in some stations.
Know Your Rights
Under Nigerian law, administrative bail for bailable offences should not require payment. The police say citizens should know that bail is a legal right in bailable offences, not a favour; refuse to pay money demanded as "bail fees"; and report any officer who demands payment through the designated complaint channels instead of engaging in arguments.
