Lawyer Tasks NASS On Bail Fees

A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Mr Endurance Akpelu has called for a legislation by the National Assembly to make the collection of bail fees by policemen unlawful.
Mr Akpelu, who stated this while speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt at weekend, expressed regrets that bail fees charged by policemen in Rivers State and other parts of the country for accused persons to have access to justice.
He said the soaring bail fees had become worrisome yet in most police station the inscription”, bail is free”,  bail is free”, had become nauseating.
Mr Akpelu also said that most times innocent law abiding citizens were arrested and detained for the purpose of extorting money from them.
He warned that unless something was done to stop the trend innocent law-abiding citizens would continue to be victims.
According to him, “when an innocent law abiding citizen is arrested and detained wrongly, the police ought compensate him for the embarrassment and unlawful detention but wrongful detained an innocent person are also asking for fees as bail”.
He told the National and State Assemblies to make legislations that would stem the tide.
Mr Akpelu praised the Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for living up to their billing.
He said the two law enforcement agencies were reputed for roof charging bail fees and the civilized ways of treating their suspects.
He urged the police to emulate the two bodies and turn a new leaf.

Chidi Enyie