Judiciary Inaugurate Bondsmen Scheme

The Chief Judge of Lagos state, Justice Kazeem Alogba has inaugurated the Bondsmen Scheme for eliminating sharp practices by ‘professional sureties’ with six law firms and two corporate firms.

The scheme which is long over due was passed into law by the state assembly 14 years ago.

It is intended to prevent suspects from jumping bail and becoming flight risks.

The induction course for the newly appointed bondsmen and registry staff of the high court was held at the Lagos state Judiciary Recreational/Training Centre, GRA, IKeja.

Speaking at the ceremony, Justice Alogba described the event as an epoch making occasion in view of the fact that the judiciary has been working on the scheme for some years.

He said the general public and stakeholders in the criminal administration of the justice system have been waiting eagerly to see how the scheme will work out.

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Contributing, Justice Onyeabo who is the Admin Judge Ikeja said two high courts and magistrate courts each have been designated for the pilot scheme for the operation of bondsmen in criminal matters in the state.

Justice Onyeabo said the courts have been having problems with ‘professional sureties’ who often time use fake and cloned documents and whose addresses couldn’t be traced.

“But with the scheme and other developments like the NIN registration, the BVN and the criminal justice system, the system now have all the data that is need to trace people. So it becomes easier to trace anybody who may have problem with the law” she said

“The bail bond system will help us so that the person who has deposited money s bondsman and knows that if he does not bring that person on adjourned date, he is going to forfeit the money, he would find that person and bring him to court”, she said.