Stop Paying Fines/Charges To Police, EFCC Or Any Security Agency, It Is Illegal. Daily Law Tips (Tip 439) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LLM. ACIArb(UK)
Nigeria is a democratic state governed by laws. Security agencies are created by laws and their establishment laws empower them to protect lives and property. It is the duty of security agencies and their officers to investigate and prosecute suspected offenders in courts.
Hence, security agencies and officers have no powers/rights to decide cases and play the roles of courts. It is not the duty of any security agency or officer to sanction, sentence or order a suspect or any person whatsoever to pay any money or gift (cash/kind) to it or to any person, government or group. It is only a court of law that can sit, hear cases and give orders for payment of any money, fine or imprisonment. You are only permitted to pay fines when such is ordered by court and to pay such only to the accounts specifically mentioned by court.
It is your duty to report any security agency or officer requesting or blackmailing you or any person to a superior security officer and more importantly to a good lawyer or for free to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
References;
The judgments of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal;
1. EFCC v. DIAMOND BANK PLC & ORS (2018) LPELR-44217(SC)
2. MR. PAULINUS OKAFOR & ANOR v. THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AIG ZONE II ONIKAN & ORS (2019) LPELR-46505(CA)
3. OMUMA MICRO-FINANCE BANK (NIGERIA) LTD v. VINCENT N. OJINNAKA (2018) LPELR-43988(CA)
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Feel free to reach the author, ask questions or make inquiries on this topic or any other legal issues via onyekachi.umah@gmail.com or +2348037665878.
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