We Insist Bail Must Be Free – NBA

Mr Olabisi Makanjuola, Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has urged attorneys to report any police station that seeks money for bail.

Makanjuola told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, January 30, that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution still allowed for free bail.

He stated that the branch would do everything legal to guarantee that bail remained free in Lagos State.

“Our colleagues that go to the police formations always come back to lament that, oftentimes, money is paid to secure bail of suspects.

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“The point we are making is that it must stop; even if that is one thing we begin to get right.

“A clarion call to everybody out there is that where any officer demands money for bail, please reach out to us, and we will draw the attention of the commissioner of police.

“He must live up to his promise; bail is free and bail must continue to be free,” the chairman said.

Makanjuola further stated that the branch was keen to crack down on fake lawyers.

“In the next couple of weeks and months, the Lagos branch intends to begin to clamp down on persons who parade themselves as lawyers.

“If any lawyer conducts himself in any manner that is improper, we ask members of the public to bring such a person to our attention; we have an ethics committee,” he said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli