By Austin Ogwuda
AN advocacy group known as ‘Bail is Free Campaign’ has made a startling revelation on how the sum of N500,000 was allegedly collected as bribe by the Police at Oghara Police Division before granting bail to two Bricklayers arrested in connection with an undisclosed offence of mob action.
Co-ordinator of Bail is Free Campaign, Comrade David Ugolor disclosed this when he led the group on a peaceful protest march to the Delta State Police Command’s headquarters in Asaba, Delta State capital, Nigeria, on Monday.
Hear him, “We gathered here today under the banner of justice and the rule of law to address a matter of grave concern and constitutional importance.
“That is the unlawful arrest, harassment and continued detention of two Nigerian citizens, Mr Henry Umukoro, a bricklayer and Mr Godfrey Jona, his colleague.
“On the April 11, 2025, Mr Godfrey Jona was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Oghara Division, Delta State, in connection with a mob action against an individual suspected of theft.
“Mr Umukoro moved by concern and approached the station to secure bail for his colleague. In a shocking twist of events, Mr Umukoro was also arrested and detained without any credible evidence linking him to the alleged crime.
“The two suspects were initially granted bail following the payment of a staggering sum of N500,000 allegedly collected by the DCO of the Oghara Police Division.
“Yet, this mockery of justice did not end hence on April 18, 2025, both men were re-arrested without a court order and transferred to the Delta State Police Command in Asaba. As we speak, they remain in detention without court charge”, he stated.
The group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both of them and called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to, as a matter of urgency, intervene, saying, “Silence of the authorities in the face of such only enables further abuse”.
Addressing the protesters, according to Punch report, the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Edafe Bright appealed to the protesters to remain calm, saying that the authorities were on the case.
Edafe was further quoted by Punch saying that the command had ordered an immediate refund of the N500,000 collected by the Oghara Divisional Crime officer to grant bail to the two bricklayers initially.
Source: Punch
