City Crime

Surety For Bail

Published

6 years ago

February 3, 2021

Bail can be defined as the process whereby a person accused or being charged for the commission of an offence, is released by the constituted authority who is detaining him, on the condition that he will appear or report to a police station or court or other identified location in future whenever his presence is required or so ordered. There are two broad types of bail in Nigeria. They are police or administrative bail and court bail. My interest in this write up is court bail, which is granted by a court of law. It is granted in two scenarios – bail, pending trial of the accused person, or bail pending the appeal of the accused.
When a person is granted bail, some conditions for the grant of the bail may include getting a surety. In Nigeria the courts prefer sureties with landed property in certain locations who in most cases should be public or civil servants of level 16. In Dasuki V. Director-General SSS (2020) 10 NWLR Pt 1731 Pg 136-143, the appellant approached the High Court for the enforcement of his fundamental right to liberty. The case was contested, the Federal High Court, after hearing the parties held that the fundamental right of the appellant was infringed upon but, in the circumstance of the case granted him conditional release from custody on bail. Dissatisfied with the judgement, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal on grounds inter alia, that the bail conditions were onerous.
The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, varied the bail conditions imposed by the Federal High Court, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000,000.00 and two sureties in the like sum who must be serving civil servants not below the status of level 16 officer in either the state or federal public service or any of its agencies. Each of the sureties was to furnish evidence of ownership of property in the federal capital territory worth N100,000,000.00.
Subsequently, the applicant filed a motion on notice at the Court of Appeal, seeking an order for leave to apply to vary, review or substitute the bail terms contained in the judgement of the Court of Appeal; and an order to vary, review and substitute the bail conditions. The applicant in substitution sought an order granting him bail with two sureties who shall be public servants not below the status of level 16 officers. On whether civil servants or public officers can be involved in bail of accused persons. Per Adah J.C.A at Pg 153 paras. F. A: stated thus:
“Let me quickly say that of concern it is to us that as a court we must be ready and sensitive enough to allow or do anything that will run foul of the law. The issue of involving civil servants or public officers in the public service of the federation and the state in bail of people accused of criminal offences has never been the practice in Nigeria or any part of the civilized world. It was an oversight on our part to allow it in.
Our civil and public service rules do not have any room for it. Expecting a level 16 servant to own a property worth N100,000,000.00 will be running counter of the public service rules and by extension the war against corruption. It is in this respect that I will act ex debito justitiae to ensure that the aspect of involving serving public servants not below the status of level 16 officer in either the state or public service of the federation or any of its agencies be removed and I so order.”

By: Nkechi Bright-Ewere

City Crime

Dakar 2026: Nigeria Records Best-Ever Appearance At Youth Olympic Games

Published

22 hours ago

November 13, 2026

The Tide

Team Nigeria recorded its best-ever appearance at the Youth Olympic Games, winning three gold medals at Dakar 2026 in Senegal to surpass the country’s previous best performance at the competition since its debut.

It was a remarkable campaign defined by historic victories, record-breaking performances and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sporting talents, with three athletes etching their names into the country’s sporting history.

According to a press statement from the Special Assistant, SA to the Director -General of the National Sports Commission, Kola Daniel, Nigeria’s gold-medal haul came through Bright Gift, Rosemary Nwankwo and Praise Ugoh, whose outstanding performances in athletics delivered an unprecedented sprint double and a landmark victory in the women’s 400m.

Bright Gift made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win the men’s 100m title at the Youth Olympic Games, clocking an impressive 10.28 seconds to claim gold and set a new Games record.

Rosemary Nwankwo’s victory in the women’s 100m, completing Nigeria’s historic sprint double. Her 11.16-second performance made Nigeria the first country to win both the men’s and women’s 100m titles at the same edition of the Youth Olympic Games.

Praise Ugoh completed Nigeria’s golden campaign by winning the women’s 400m in a personal best of 52.76 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian to claim the event’s title at the Youth Olympic Games.

The three victories represent a new high for Nigeria at the competition, surpassing the two gold medals won at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has attributed the progress of Nigerian youth sports to sustained efforts in grassroots development, talent identification and the creation of competitive platforms through which young athletes can be discovered, nurtured and prepared for international competition.

The two technocrats, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Hon. Bukola Olopade’s commitment to grassroots sports development has continued to drive initiatives aimed at building a strong pipeline of future champions.

A major component of this strategy is the Commission’s Invited Junior Athletes Initiative, alongside the National Sports Festival and the hosting of the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta. These platforms have provided opportunities for emerging talents to compete, gain exposure and progress towards representing Nigeria on the international stage.

The Director of Grassroots Sports Development at the Commission, Prince Niyi Beyeku, and other key players including Lekan Alabi epitomize the dedicated team behind implementing programmes and initiatives that strengthen talent discovery and development across the country.

The Nigeria Olympic Committee, under the leadership of its President, Engr. Habu Gumel, remained consistent in its support and leadership in coordinating Nigeria’s participation at the Games.

The Commission applauds all athletes’ coaches, technical officials, medical personnel and backroom staff whose hard work, preparation and dedication contributed to the team’s historic outing.

Beyond the medals, Nigeria’s performance in Dakar represents a significant statement about the country’s sporting future. The emergence of these young champions reinforces the importance of sustained grassroots investment and provides renewed optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to produce world-class athletes.

City Crime

Tinubu Rewards Flamingos players With 100m Bonds

Published

22 hours ago

November 13, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the award of a ?100 million Federal Government Savings Bond to each player on Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos.

The bonds attract an annual interest rate of 14 per cent. The investment by the government for the players is for five years.

President Tinubu also announced a cash gift of ?100 million for the coach and ?50 million for each member of the technical crew.

The President announced the rewards during a reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the Flamingos, who reportedly won the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan to become the first African team to win the tournament.

President Tinubu was represented at the reception by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

City Crime

When Custody Becomes a Death Sentence

Published

2 months ago

September 25, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “The moment the state takes a citizen into custody, it assumes a sacred duty to protect that life. Suspicion may justify arrest, but it can never justify neglect, abuse or death.”

There are deaths that shock the conscience not merely because lives have been lost, but because of the circumstances in which those lives were entrusted to the state. The reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, an incident which occurred on September 17, 2026, belongs to this troubling category. The victims were reportedly arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities. Whatever offence they may have been suspected of committing, they remained citizens entitled to the protection of the law. They were suspects, not condemned criminals. Their detention therefore placed a corresponding responsibility on the authorities to safeguard their lives and dignity.

The Federal Government has since ordered a comprehensive investigation, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted a 10-member independent committee to establish what happened, including the circumstances of the arrests, detention and deaths. Twenty NSCDC officers, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, have been suspended pending the investigation. Initially, the NSCDC indicated that a suspected disease outbreak might have been responsible for the deaths. However, survivors and relatives have made disturbing allegations concerning overcrowding, poor ventilation and the treatment of detainees. Reuters reported survivor accounts alleging that nearly 70 people were held in a very small cell and that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside. These accounts remain allegations and must be tested against medical and forensic evidence.

That is precisely why the investigation must be independent, transparent and exhaustive. Nigeria cannot afford a situation in which a tragedy of this magnitude is explained away by speculation, administrative statements or convenient assumptions. The families of the deceased deserve the truth, not conjecture. There is also a fundamental legal principle at stake. The fight against illegal mining is legitimate and necessary. Illegal mining can damage the environment, threaten communities, undermine public revenue and expose workers to dangerous conditions. Government therefore, has every right to enforce mining laws and apprehend those suspected of violating them. But enforcement must itself remain within the ambit of the law. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has correctly stated that the fact that the detainees were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment.

He directed investigators to examine the conditions of detention, the number of people held in the facility, medical attention provided and the events preceding the deaths. He also stated that if evidence establishes that officials contributed to the deaths through abuse or negligence, those responsible should face prosecution. This is the proper standard. Government cannot fight illegality by creating another form of illegality. The tragedy also raises questions about detention management in our security institutions. If dozens of detainees were indeed confined in conditions incapable of providing adequate ventilation, sanitation, water, food and medical attention, then the matter goes beyond one unfortunate incident. It would point to institutional weaknesses requiring urgent correction.

Every security agency entrusted with human beings must have clear procedures for intake, identification, medical screening, monitoring, separation of vulnerable detainees, emergency response and access to medical care. These are not luxuries. They are basic requirements of responsible custody. The alleged presence of teenagers among the detainees makes the matter even more sensitive. Reports have indicated that some of those arrested were between 14 and 18 years old. If confirmed, their treatment should receive particular scrutiny because children and adolescents in state custody require special safeguards. The government has already taken an important administrative step by suspending officers and establishing an independent panel. But suspension is not justice. Nor should public anger substitute for due process. The investigation must identify exactly who was arrested, why they were arrested, where they were detained, how many people were held together, what happened inside the facility, what medical intervention was provided and what caused each death.

The investigation must also preserve evidence and give surviving detainees an opportunity to speak without intimidation. The Federal Government has directed that records and material evidence be preserved and made available to investigators. The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report. Beyond determining individual responsibility, government should use the tragedy to strengthen custodial standards across all security agencies. A citizen should not disappear into government custody and emerge only as a corpse requiring explanations. The lesson is simple but profound: the power to arrest is not the power to destroy. The state may restrain a person’s liberty according to law, but it cannot suspend that person’s humanity. Nigeria must continue to confront illegal mining. It must also confront every abuse of official power that undermines public confidence in the institutions established to protect citizens.

More importantly, this tragedy should provoke a serious national conversation about what happens after an arrest. Too often, public attention focuses on the moment suspects are paraded before cameras, while little is said about what happens to them afterwards. Arrest is only the beginning of a legal process, not the end of it. Detainees must be properly documented, medically examined and held in facilities that meet acceptable standards. Their families should not have to search desperately for information about their whereabouts, while officers entrusted with their custody remain the only source of information. Where death occurs in custody, the burden of explanation cannot be shifted to grieving relatives. The state must account for the circumstances surrounding every death and demonstrate that reasonable measures were taken to preserve life.

Let it be told that accountability should not begin only when a tragedy attracts national outrage; it should be built into the daily operations of every security agency. Regular inspection of detention facilities, independent monitoring, proper staffing, functional medical arrangements, accurate custody registers and prompt reporting of emergencies can prevent avoidable deaths. Officers must equally understand that lawful enforcement and humane treatment are not opposing principles. Indeed, the credibility of government is strengthened when those who enforce the law are themselves demonstrably bound by it. If the investigation establishes wrongdoing, negligence or abuse, appropriate sanctions should follow; if alternative causes are established, those findings should also be made public. What Nigerians need is not a predetermined narrative, but credible facts, transparent accountability and reforms capable of ensuring that no family again loses a loved one under circumstances that remain unexplained.

The 37 deaths should therefore not become another statistic that fades from public memory after investigations and official statements. Their deaths should compel reforms that make every detention facility safer, every arrest more accountable and every public officer more conscious of the precious lives placed in government custody. For when the state takes custody of a citizen, it assumes responsibility for that citizen’s life. Custody must never become a death sentence.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi