EXPLAINER: What to know about police bail, how to report extortion

The Nigeria Police Force maintains that granting bail is a free process, with no legal provision for officers to collect money from suspects, regardless of the offense or bail conditions. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, stated that every suspect released on bail signs a form declaring that no money changed hands.

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The law does not allow anyone to pay money for bail at any police station.

Despite this official stance, persistent complaints of extortion persist, with many Nigerians reporting that they still pay money before regaining freedom. Iniedu acknowledged that extortion occurs but attributed it partly to a lack of public awareness regarding the law. He explained that many individuals sign the bail form without reading it, simply because they are eager to leave. "Many people just sign it because they want to leave. But if you read it, it clearly states that you did not pay any money," he said.

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You know, as we discussed the first time, we do a lot of things to improve this trust. We discovered that many of our people do not know the law. If they know the law, they will also know their rights.

Iniedu also mentioned that the Inspector-General of Police regularly issues directives to officers on public conduct and duty execution. However, he advised citizens who encounter officers demanding money for bail not to argue openly. Instead, he recommended taking out a phone in front of the officer and contacting the force directly. "Just take out your phone. Tell the officer, ‘I want to call you.’ Take out your phone and dial the numbers," he advised.

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When you are being released on bail, you are given a form to read and sign. Many people do not read the form before signing it.