Police: Is Bail truly free?

Whenever you visit a police station, you will see an inscription, “Bail is Free,” is it truly free? EUGENE OGHENEMARO questions

Dennis Okoro is based in the United Kingdom, UK, and during his stay in Nigeria, he heard that his brother was in police custody.

After investigation by the police authorities, it was discovered that his brother was innocent and was supposed to be set free.

Okoro applied for his bail and while he was filling the application form, he came across where they wrote, “Bail is free.” He was so happy that he started commending government and the police authorities for making it so because before he left the shores of the country, bail was paid for. Little did he know that he was being deceived by the write-up?

However, after filling the form, the police man handling the case told him to settle them for facilitating the release of his brother. Okoro was shocked to his bone-marrow that he couldn’t utter any word.

According to him, he met the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, and he was told the same. He went as far as meeting the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, he was told that it was a motivation fee.

Okoro was forced to part away with N10,000 (ten thousand naira).

After the whole scenario, Okoro described Police as Devil who gives you something with right hand and collect it with left hand.

However, Okoro seems not to be the only one complaining as many people who would not want their names in print have confirmed it including some police officers who incidentally work at the Force headquarters.

The question begging for answer is, “Is BAIL truly free?” If yes, the police authorities should do something about it but if it is NO, please remove it from the stations and your form.