Continued extortion, intimidation by Edo police eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system – CSO
Inside Edo
Benin, Edo – The Bail Is Free Campaign Organization has raised serious concerns over persistent allegations of police misconduct in Edo State, particularly the extortion of citizens, which it says is steadily eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on Saturday, the group, led by Justice Oni-Edigin, demanded an immediate end to police extortion, stronger accountability mechanisms, and urgent steps to restore public trust in law enforcement across the state.
The organization noted that many citizens are reluctant to report alleged police extortion for fear of intimidation, unlawful detention, harassment, or the fabrication of criminal charges against them. These fears, it said, discourage people from speaking out and further weaken confidence in the justice system.
While the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the dignity of the human person, personal liberty, and the right to a fair hearing, the group observed that practical barriers continue to prevent citizens from fully enjoying these rights.
It emphasized that administrative bail is free by law and that no citizen should be forced to pay for police services that are meant to be provided without charge. Despite this, some officers still demand payments, often through POS operators or other third parties, making it harder to identify those who benefit.
“We are also concerned by complaints from members of the public who say they are afraid to report alleged police extortion because they fear intimidation, unlawful detention, harassment, or the fabrication of criminal allegations against them. Whether these allegations are ultimately substantiated or not, such fears discourage citizens from reporting misconduct and weaken public confidence in the justice system,” Justice Oni-Edigin said.
The organization warned that failing to address credible allegations of police misconduct promptly and transparently risks undermining the rule of law, stating that when citizens lose trust in the police, crimes go unreported, intelligence gathering suffers, witnesses become unwilling to cooperate, and criminals find it easier to evade justice.
Police extortion, it stressed, is therefore both a human rights violation and a direct threat to effective crime prevention and public security.
To tackle the problem, the Bail Is Free Campaign Organization proposed several reforms. These include the adoption of a comprehensive anti-police-extortion policy; clear public notices in all police formations declaring that investigations and administrative bail are free; the installation of CCTV cameras in interview rooms and complaint offices; a strict ban on officers receiving money directly or through intermediaries; and the creation of secure, confidential complaint channels that protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
The group also called for stronger collaboration between the police, the Public Complaints Commission, civil society organizations, and other oversight bodies; regular training for officers on ethics, anti-corruption, and human rights; public education campaigns to encourage reporting and awareness of constitutional rights; and appropriate disciplinary measures, including criminal prosecution where evidence supports it, after due process.
The organization maintained that the continued fear of retaliation is silencing victims and weakening law enforcement effectiveness in Edo State.
It urged the Edo State Government, house of assembly and other authorities to take decisive action to rebuild public confidence in the system.
