Bail is free – Police officer warns Nigerians

The Nigeria Police Force has renewed its warning to Nigerians against paying money to secure the release of suspects on police bail, with Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, urging members of the public to challenge any officer who demands cash.

Iniedu gave the advice during an interview with media personality Nedu Wazobia, explaining that many people sign bail documents without reading the contents because they are often eager to get themselves or their relatives out of the police station.

According to him, the bail documentation itself makes clear that no payment was made for the release.

“Many people do not read the form they sign because it’s clearly stated there that I didn’t pay one single naira for this bail. Many will just carry it and sign without properly reading it because they just want to leave immediately. The law doesn’t allow anybody to pay for bail in any police station in Nigeria.

“If you enter any police station to bail somebody and they ask for money, just tell them that you want to call the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).”

Police position backed by earlier directives

Iniedu’s warning is consistent with the Nigeria Police Force’s longstanding “Bail is Free” position.

The NPF has previously directed its personnel not to collect money from members of the public for bail, warning that officers caught demanding payment could face disciplinary action.

The issue has also resurfaced in 2026. Following Iniedu’s appointment as Force PRO in June, the police again reminded Nigerians that bail is free and advised citizens to report officers who demand money before releasing suspects in bailable offences.

Iniedu, who was appointed Force Public Relations Officer by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu in June 2026, previously served as head of the Force Complaint Response Unit, where he was involved in public complaint management and accountability initiatives.

The legal framework also distinguishes bail from a cash payment. A UNODC court-users guide for Nigeria states that bail is free, while noting that certain court processes can involve recognisances or, in specific circumstances, cash deposits. It advises citizens not to pay unofficial demands for bail.

Action4Justice, a legal-information platform, similarly states that police bail is free and outlines police bail as a process that may involve an application and sureties rather than payment to officers.

The police’s latest message is therefore straightforward: being asked to pay an officer money in exchange for police bail is not the same thing as meeting legitimate bail conditions.

For Nigerians confronted with such a demand, Iniedu’s advice is to question it, avoid treating unofficial charges as normal and escalate the matter through the appropriate police complaint channels.