‘Bail is free’ – Adamawa Judiciary warns officers against demanding money

The Adamawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has declared bail a free service and warned all officers against extorting people seeking bail.

The commission specifically warned judicial officers, court staff and law enforcement operatives against demanding or accepting money as a condition for granting anyone bail.

“Any officer found collecting or demanding payment for bail will face immediate disciplinary proceedings,” the commission said in a circular from the office of the state Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, signalling a fresh resolve to enforce the free bail practice.

In the circular dated August 24, 2026, and sighted on Tuesday, the commission reiterated that no judge, magistrate or judicial staff member is permitted to impose any direct monetary condition for bail.

In the same circular, the commission announced the approval of promotions for 458 judicial staff across various divisions of the state judiciary.

The commission said the decision was reached at its 187th meeting, chaired by the Chief Judge of the state, who is also the chairman of the JSC.

The approved promotions cut across the Magistrates’ Division, Area Court Division, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal, the commission explained.

Giving the breakdown, it said 42 magistrates were promoted, alongside 26 administrative and executive officers and confidential secretaries, while 59 registrars also received promotions.

In the Area Court Division, 114 Area Court judges and members were promoted, with 26 administrative and executive officers and 146 registrars also benefiting.

At the Sharia Court of Appeal, 22 administrative, executive, confidential secretaries and registrars were promoted, it said, adding that 23 administrative, executive, confidential secretaries and registrars were promoted at the Customary Court of Appeal.