The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to urgently intervene in the plight of Nigerians languishing in prison custody due to what it described as “obnoxious and oppressive” bail conditions imposed by some judges of the Federal High Court.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Convener of the group lamented that hundreds of citizens remain incarcerated despite not having been convicted of any offence, solely because they are unable to meet excessive bail requirements.
According to the statement, such bail conditions constitute a grave affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and amount to a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of citizens. The group further argued that the practice represents a breach of the judicial oath of office and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers subscribed to by members of the Bench.
The statement read in part, “My Lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mr President of the NBA, the law is not a business but a calling. Being a lawyer is akin to being a priest or a doctor, because as lawyers, we protect rights and save lives.
“Hundreds of Nigerians are currently rotting in Nigerian correctional facilities because of the obnoxious bail conditions imposed by some judges of the Federal High Court. These are conditions so stringent that even the judges who impose them may be unable to meet them if the roles were reversed.
“Consider a typical bail condition: bail granted in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum; the sureties must be gainfully employed; depose to affidavits; have their residential addresses verified by their banks; have their mobile network providers verify their addresses and submit reports to the court; have the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), either at its Abuja headquarters or regional office, verify their addresses and report to the court; and have the court registrar independently verify the addresses and submit a report. In addition, both the defendant and sureties are required to deposit their international passports with the court.”
The group expressed concern that in some cases, judges reportedly direct prosecutors—who are parties to the proceedings—to verify the sureties of defendants, a practice it described as highly improper and prejudicial.
“This troubling situation demands urgent intervention,” the statement continued. “Homes have been destroyed, children withdrawn from school, and businesses shut down as a result of prolonged remand caused by these oppressive bail conditions—conditions that are not provided for under any written law.”
The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary concluded by urging the CJN and the leadership of the NBA to act swiftly to safeguard the integrity of the justice system and protect the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens.
