Petition Accuses Isiokolo Magistrate Court of Extortion

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A petition has been filed with the Chief Judge of Delta State, alleging unlawful extortion of defendants granted bail at the Magistrate Court sitting at Isiokolo. The petitioner, Mr. Odafe Otite, claims that the court’s Registrar demanded ₦100,000 from him before processing his bail, despite the court granting bail.

The petition, filed by the petitioner’s solicitors, from Ogedegbe and Ogedegbe Chambers alleged that the Registrar’s actions undermine the judiciary’s integrity and amount to administrative abuse. It cited Section 35(4) of Nigeria’s Constitution and Supreme Court rulings emphasizing bail as a constitutional right.

The petitioner requests the Chief Judge to: Investigate the Registrar’s activities, Stop the unlawful demands, Issue directives to safeguard defendants from exploitation, and Take disciplinary measures to preserve the judiciary’s dignity.

The statement titled “PETITION AGAINST ILLEGAL EXTORTION OF DEFENDANTS GRANTED BAIL AT THE MAGISTRATE COURT SITTING AT ISIOKOLO, DELTA STATE” stated
“We are Solicitors to Mr. Odafe Otite (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) and on whose firm instructions we respectfully write this petition to bring to the attention of Your Lordship an alarming and disturbing practice allegedly taking place at the Magistrate Court sitting at Isiokolo, Delta State, presided over by His Worship Magistrate Igelege”.

“Our client informed us that he was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police attached to the Isiokolo Police Division on the 3rd day of February, 2026, and was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Isiokolo.
Upon his arraignment, our client was granted bail by the court. In compliance with the bail conditions imposed by the court, our client contacted his surety who appeared before the court to perfect the bail.

“However, our client informed us that the Registrar of the Court insisted that every defendant granted bail must pay the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000.00) before he would be allowed to regain his liberty, irrespective of the actual bail conditions imposed by the court.

“Our client further informed us that several pleas were made to the Registrar to allow him to perfect the bail strictly in accordance with the conditions granted by the court. Unfortunately, all attempts proved abortive.
It was only after the helpless wife of our client managed to raise the sum of Forty Thousand Naira (₦40,000.00) that the Registrar reluctantly agreed to accept the bail documents for processing and signing.

“My Lord, the above development is extremely disturbing and undermines the integrity of the judicial process. The judiciary is constitutionally regarded as the last hope of the common man, and any practice that subjects defendants to financial exploitation before they can enjoy the benefit of bail granted by the court is capable of eroding public confidence in the administration of justice.

“My Lord will recall that Section 35(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) guarantees the right to personal liberty and provides that any person arrested or detained in connection with a criminal offence shall be brought before a court within a reasonable time and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court in Bamaiyi v. State emphasized the importance of bail as a constitutional safeguard to protect the liberty of an accused person pending trial.

“It is therefore our respectful submission that once bail is granted and the conditions imposed by the court are met, no court official has the authority to impose additional financial demands as a condition for release, except such fees as are officially prescribed by law.
The alleged demand for payment of ₦100,000.00 before defendants can perfect their bail appears to amount to unlawful extortion and administrative abuse, which urgently requires the intervention of Your Lordship.

“In the circumstances, we humbly request that Your Lordship:
Order an immediate investigation into the activities of the Registrar of the Magistrate Court sitting at Isiokolo regarding the processing of bail for defendants.
Direct that such unlawful demands cease forthwith, if found to be true.

“Issue appropriate administrative directives to safeguard defendants from exploitation in the course of perfecting bail.
Take any disciplinary or corrective measures Your Lordship may deem fit in order to preserve the dignity and integrity of the judiciary.
We trust in the wisdom and commitment of Your Lordship in ensuring that the administration of justice in Delta State remains fair, transparent, and accessible to all”