Nigerians say they pay bribes for bail despite police insisting it's free
Every police station in Nigeria displays the slogan 'BAIL IS FREE,' but many Nigerians say they still have to pay bribes to secure release. The debate flared after a police officer, in a widely shared X interview, insisted the law forbids any payment for bail and told detainees to simply walk out and call the IGP if asked to pay. Users on X pushed back, noting that detained people often have no phone access, that calls to police PROs go unanswered, and that fear or network issues leave them with no choice but to pay. One user described paying after being arrested by traffic control, another said the gap between law and practice is wider than the Atlantic Ocean.
Legal practitioner Barrister Zulkallain Sani Tsanyawa agrees bail is free by law, but explains that citizens, out of fear or desperation, sometimes hand over money and label it 'Alheri' or 'Na goro.' He advises anyone confronted with an unlawful demand to politely refuse, ask the officer for the legal basis, and request a receipt. If the officer insists, citizens should report the incident to the IGP or appropriate police authority. Tsanyawa also points to habeas corpus under Section 169 of the Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019, which allows a detained person to apply to court for production and justification of their detention.
The controversy highlights the gap between official policy and everyday reality, raising questions about police accountability and citizens' knowledge of their rights.