Security Stakeholders Call For Adequate Fundings For Police

– Security stakeholders call for adequate funding for Nigerian Police

– The collection of money for bail at police formations such as the area commands and divisions is caused by lack of monthly allocations

– Members of the public should understand the challenges of the police and help them to carry out their obligations i

 

Security stakeholders in Lagos have said that if the Nigerian Police force is adequately funded it will stop collecting money for granting bail to suspects.

The stakeholders made this statement at a one-day Civil Society Organisation/Media interaction on bail process at different police stations and the citizens’ rights to bail.

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The interaction was organised by an NGO, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Policing Programme (NPP).

According to the stakeholders, the collection of money for bail at police formations such as the area commands and divisions is caused by lack of monthly allocations.

According to the Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr Ikechukwu Nwanguma said that many people had often complained about police asking for money before granting suspects bail while the officers complained of lack of funding by the government as well.

Nwanguma said that the interaction was aimed at raising public awareness on the rights of citizens and the bail process at police formations.

“If we don’t address the root cause of corruption, which includes funding, welfare and equipping the force, the concept ‘bail is free’ may only be a cliche. ‘You don’t expect DPOs, Area Commanders to use their salaries to run their stations.

“Members of the public should understand the challenges of the police and help them to carry out their obligations in any way possible. “The police must also tell the public their challenges,” he said.

Similarly, President,Committe for the Defence of Human Right(CDHR), Mr Malachy Ugwummadu said that the police might be under funded, yet that should not give them the right to collect money for bail as the law of the land had stipulated that bail is free.