The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stringent warning to the public, stressing that securing bail for oneself or relatives is an entirely free process. The Force emphatically stated that both individuals who offer payment and those who accept it for bail risk immediate arrest and subsequent prosecution.
This critical announcement was delivered on Friday by Awuf Jonah, the Head of the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) at the NPF Force Headquarters in Abuja. Mr. Jonah made the declaration during a comprehensive sensitization rally held in Lagos, specifically designed to educate residents on how to report police misconduct and seek appropriate redress.
Zero Tolerance for Illicit Bail Payments
During the rally, held at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Mr. Jonah unequivocally reaffirmed that police bail carries no cost. He underscored that no one is expected to pay any money when they or their loved ones are arrested. To further cement this directive, he cited the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, who has repeatedly emphasized that no payments should be made during arrests.
“If you pay money for any bail, the giver and the taker will be arrested and then prosecuted,” Mr. Jonah firmly warned, highlighting the serious legal ramifications for those involved in such transactions.
Rebuilding Public Confidence and Promoting Accountability
The sensitization rally was a joint initiative by the NPF Complaint Response Unit and the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI). Its overarching goal is to rebuild public trust in the police and cultivate a robust culture of accountability within the Force.
The campaign, which launched in Ikeja, incorporated various community engagement activities. These included roadshows, extensive market outreach programs, the distribution of informative materials, and practical demonstrations of the CRU’s platforms for reporting complaints. Mr. Jonah characterized the partnership as a pivotal step towards restoring public trust, observing that the initiative has already significantly improved accountability and encouraged residents to report officer misconduct.
He assured the public that all complaints received by the CRU are thoroughly investigated, and officers found culpable are subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures. He noted a positive shift, stating that the number of “bad eggs” within the Force engaging in illicit activities has considerably reduced. Mr. Jonah urged residents to maintain their cooperation with the police, deeming this partnership essential for fostering a better society.
Channels for Reporting Misconduct
Residents are encouraged to report police misconduct through various accessible channels provided by the CRU:
- Telephone Lines: Dial 08057000101 and 08057000102 for direct calls.
- WhatsApp: Send complaints via 08057000103.
- Written Petitions: Submit formal complaints directly to CRU offices.
Strengthening Community Relations
Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, at the flag-off event, commended the advocacy effort. He highlighted the timeliness of the collaboration, predicting it would bolster cooperation, intelligence sharing, and community relations, establishing them as top priorities.
Eniola Adam, the Coordinator of ECAPI, reiterated the rally’s purpose: to educate the public about police brutality, extortion, and the indisputable fact that bail is free. “We want Nigerians to know that the Inspector-General of Police says no to impunity, and any police officer found going against his mandate will have himself to blame,” Mr. Adam asserted.
He further announced plans to extend the campaign to various communities and marketplaces. This grassroots approach aims to ensure that all residents are aware of their rights and the proper procedures for reporting police misconduct, ensuring widespread understanding of the free bail policy and police accountability.