An unusual practice may have gripped Nigeria’s magistrate courts in light of emerging evidence that the courts now demand payment of bail bonds into courts’ coffers before accused persons could regain their freedom.

This growing practice peaked during a recent case where, Mr. Augustine Otobo, the client of former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins was ordered by an Orerokpe Magistrate Court in Delta State to pay a whopping N15 million into court as part of the bail perfection process. The bail bond was reduced from an initial N40 million.

Aikpokpo-Martins raised an alarm on this strange practice as well as threat to the lives of his client and himself during their recent appearance in court.

The fiery Bar Leader and human rights activist had in a live Facebook broadcast alerted the public of the threat to their lives by operatives from the Orerokpe Police Division who he alleged were pulling strings in the matter at the behest of the nominal complainant.

There are strong indications that the practice is not restricted to Delta State, as some lawyers in Lagos State allege that the practice has also gripped the state magistracy. It was unclear whether the funds are remitted to the coffers of the judiciary.

CITY LAWYER was unable to confirm at press time whether the strange practice is supported by the National Judicial Policy or endorsed by the National Judicial Council which is chaired by theChief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere‑Ekun.

CITY LAWYER recalls that bail bonds are traditionally called in when the defendant jumps bail unlike the current practice where magistrate courts demand payment of large sums of money usually into the account of the court registrar.

As at the time of filing this report, over 330,000 viewers have watched Aikpokpo-Martin’s live broadcast relating to the threat to life and titled “A NOTICE TO THE WORLD.”

Below is the full text of a follow-up ‘Thank You’ text by Aikpokpo-Martins.

MY GRATITUDE
I want to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues, friends, family, and fellow Nigerians who reached out with concern about the abuse of power by the police in Orerokpe yesterday. Your support means a lot, and I’m thankful for your solidarity.

I also appreciate the Delta State Police Command for promptly reassuring us and acknowledging the issue. That’s commendable. However, I hope the DPO and men of Orerokpe Division are monitored closely, as their actions is a cause for concern. They have lend themselves to be used by a certain politically exposed person (who we shall not name for now) who is of the firm belief that the police and the judiciary are at his call.

OTHER MATTERS ARISING:

Many Nigerians, especially colleagues, are shocked by the events surrounding my client’s case, particularly the demand for N15m as a bail condition.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident, and various irregularities have occurred throughout the case. I refrained from making it public until the police threatened our well-being.

PROOF: The attached teller confirms the payment of the said N15m into the account of the Registrar of the said Magistrate Court as a bail condition. The bail was revoked without justification, and he was imprisoned again.

Thankfully, the current Magistrate granted bail and ordered the refund of the N15m after months of ordeal.

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