"Bail Is Free"- Lagos CP

By Kayode Olopade 

Lagos State Police Commissioner,Mr Jimoh Moshood has unequivocally declared to Lagos Commissioner of Youth,Mr Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, the youths and representatives of various security agencies in the State that "bail is free".

He made this declaration at the opening ceremony of 2025 Police Youth Dialogue organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development held at Assbifi Event Centre today.

According to Mr Moshood no police is permitted by the law to collect money from any citizen brought to the station for breaking the law, adding 'it is only in Nigeria in the whole world that bail is free.In other climes people pay for breaking the law.I am telling everyone today that bail is free.I will give you the number to call if any police demands money from you under any guise."

In his remarks, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende urged the youth to abide by the law and collaborate with the law enforcement agencies in order for peace and security to reign in the State.

His words,"I implore everyone of you to see the law enforcement agencies, particularly the police,as our friends and partners. We need to have a positive mindset about them.Some of them are members of our family or related to us in one way or the other.They are amongst us to ensure security of life and property.The essence of today's program is to help us have a round table discussion on how to iron out the grey areas amongst us.We can explore dialogue rather than allowing the seemingly irreconcilable differences to set us one against another or divide us.United we stand,divided we fall."

Speaking in the same vein the Permanent Secretary Pharm Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu said the Ministry organised the Police Youth Dialogue to strengthen the partnership between the law enforcement agencies and the vibrant youth in the State.

She said,"there is absolutely no reason for us to see the police or any other law enforcement agencies as enemy.They are there to ensure our safety.Rather than being confrontational,we need to dialogue and collaborate with them.It is through dialogue we can foster the necessary mutual understanding and dispel the long held erroneous beliefs about the police or any other law enforcement agencies."