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  • NBA Raises Concern Over ‘Excessive’ Bail Conditions Across Nigeria

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised concerns over what it described as the increasing use of excessive and unrealistic bail conditions by courts and law enforcement agencies, warning that the practice undermines the constitutional rights of accused persons.

    NBA President, Afam Osigwe, made the position known in a statement, stressing that bail is meant to guarantee a defendant’s appearance in court and should not become a tool for punishment before trial.

    NBA Warns Against Indirect Denial of Bail

    Osigwe said the association has observed several cases where defendants are granted bail but are subjected to conditions that are difficult or impossible to meet.

    According to him, some courts require sureties who are senior civil servants on Grade Levels 16 or 17, while others demand landed properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.

    “Bail is neither a punishment nor a mechanism for imposing pre-trial incarceration by indirect means,” he said.

    He argued that such conditions effectively amount to a denial of bail because many defendants cannot fulfil the requirements despite receiving court orders granting their release.

    Association Cites Court Decisions

    The NBA referenced previous judicial decisions supporting its position on reasonable bail conditions.

    It cited the Supreme Court judgment in Suleman & Anor v. Commissioner of Police, Plateau State, where the court held that bail exists to secure pre-trial freedom and should not create impossible obstacles for defendants.

    The association also referred to Dasuki v. Director-General, State Security Service, in which the Court of Appeal criticised the practice of demanding serving public officers as sureties, describing the requirement as unrealistic and inconsistent with public service rules.

    Call for Compliance With ACJA

    Osigwe reminded judges and judicial officers that Section 165(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, expressly provides that bail conditions must not be excessive.

    He urged courts across the country to ensure that bail requirements remain fair, reasonable and achievable.

    According to the NBA president, any bail condition that cannot reasonably be met by an accused person is, in practical terms, a refusal of bail.

    The association called for greater adherence to constitutional principles and judicial precedents in the administration of criminal justice across Nigeria.

     

  • Police Release Woman Detained Over Viral “Bread Lasted Two Months” Claim

    A businesswoman, Love Dooshima, has been released from police custody after being detained over a viral social media review in which she claimed a loaf of bread stayed fresh for two months.

    Her release was confirmed early Tuesday following hours in custody at the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja.

    What happened

    According to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Dooshima honoured a police invitation around midday on Monday but was subsequently detained.

    Her arrest followed a complaint by a bread company, BON Bread, which alleged that her viral video misrepresented its product.

    In the video, Dooshima claimed the bread she purchased remained fresh for two months, sparking widespread reactions online.

    How she regained freedom

    Effiong said he, alongside others, arrived at the police facility late at night after receiving a distress call.

    He disclosed that Dooshima was released at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday after intervention from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

    Case not over

    Despite her release, the lawyer hinted that the matter is still ongoing.

    “We will be back by daybreak,” Effiong said, suggesting further legal steps may follow.

    The incident has continued to generate reactions online, with many Nigerians debating consumer rights and corporate accountability.

  • “Only the Rich Get This Kind of Bail” — Lawyer Breaks Down BLord’s ‘Self-Recognizance’ Release

    A Nigerian lawyer has stirred reactions online after explaining the meaning of “self-recognizance bail,” following reports that cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams, popularly known as BLord, was granted bail under the condition.

    The explanation comes amid widespread curiosity over the court’s decision to release BLord without the usual requirement of a surety.

    What happened

    BLord was recently granted bail on self-recognizance, a legal provision that allows a defendant to be released based on personal credibility rather than financial guarantees or third-party sureties.

    The development left many Nigerians confused, prompting the lawyer to offer a simplified breakdown in a now-viral video.

    What ‘self-recognizance bail’ means

    According to the lawyer, self-recognizance bail is based on trust. The court relies on the defendant’s status, reputation, and perceived responsibility to ensure they will appear for trial.

    He explained that unlike regular bail, where a surety is required to stand in for the accused, self-recognizance places that responsibility directly on the individual.

    “Self-recognizance is now: ‘We know you… you have businesses, you cannot leave them and run away… you are enough surety for yourself,’” he said.

    Comparison with regular bail system

    The lawyer noted that individuals without strong financial or social standing often face stricter bail conditions.

    He said courts typically require such defendants to present sureties because they are seen as more likely to abscond.

    “Because you’re poor, they don’t usually trust you… but in this case, the court believes you will show up,” he added.

    Reactions trail explanation

    The video has triggered mixed reactions, with some Nigerians agreeing with the explanation while others criticised what they see as inequality in the justice system.

    Many argued that wealth and social status appear to influence how bail conditions are applied in high-profile cases.