Former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris says bail is free in police stations in Nigeria and policemen do not collect money to release detainees.
The Herald recalls that the police force under Idris re-launched the ‘bail is free’ campaign across the 36 states and the FCT in 2017.
As part of the move, the then IGP directed that the “bail is free” sign should be pasted in the crime branch, statement room, charge room and other conspicuous locations in all police divisions, stations, and outposts throughout the country.
Despite this, many Nigerians continue to decry extortion by policemen who have not ceased to demand money for bail.
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Speaking in an interview published by Daily Sun, Idris insisted that bail was free in the nation’s police formations and no policeman would ever demand money for it.
Asked if poor welfare was the reason policemen collect money for bail despite stating that bail is free, Idris said, “Money for bail? In which country? Bail is free.”
However, he called on the authorities to improve the welfare of policemen to boost their morale.
He said that better welfare alongside providing better training and equipment for policemen would help address insecurity in the country.
“Let them tackle adequately the requirements of the police.
“If they handle that adequately, this country would be adequately policed.
“To address police in this country, you talk of need for recruitment, training them, arming them.
“And welfare is very important because you need to give them welfare,” Idris said.