| dc.description.abstract | Despite long standing assurances that lodging complaints and obtaining bail in Nigeria are free, reports of police extortion remain widespread. On May 20, 2025, The Punch and Sahara Reporters detailed a disturbing case in Eastern Ngwa Police Division, Abia State, where officers allegedly demanded ₦30,000 to open a case file involving a 14-year-old girl, Felicia Anaba, who survived an attempted rape and machete attack. This case affirms a systemic issue where victims across Nigeria are routinely extorted at every stage of the criminal justice process, from filing complaints to prosecution.
Such practices severely undermine the rule of law, erode public trust, and may deter victims from seeking justice. They also reflect a broader culture of impunity and abuse within the Nigerian Police Force that, if unchecked, threatens the integrity of the entire justice system.
Legislative action is urgently needed to curb this entrenched corruption. To address this issue, the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs and Human Rights may wish to:
● Investigate the Abia State incident and summon the Inspector General of Police for accountability;
● Enact legislation that explicitly criminalises the demand for money to initiate complaints or investigations, with clear penalties;
● Call on the Nigerian Police Service Commission to carry out a targeted training programme for police officers on ethics, human rights, and anti-corruption measures, tailored to address the alarming rate of extortion by officers.
● Call on the Nigerian Police Force in partnership with relevant agencies, CSOs and media outlets to begin a six-month nationwide campaign to educate citizens about their rights and the proper procedures for lodging complaints without payment for file opening, fuelling of police vehicles and other related matters. | en_US |
