Two Singaporean men, aged 25 and 41, have been arrested for allegedly obstructing the course of justice and entering into an unlawful bail indemnity agreement, in connection with the release and subsequent disappearance of a 39-year-old man who was out on court bail.
The incident, which came to light on 1 April 2025, involves a complex web of deception, manipulation of court processes, and abuse of the bail system. According to the Singapore Police Force, the older man allegedly posed as a bailor for the 39-year-old despite not knowing him, in exchange for money. This false representation enabled the accused to secure release from remand.
Illegal Bail Deal, Lies to Police, and a Fugitive on the Run
Investigations revealed that the 41-year-old suspect not only misrepresented himself as a legitimate bailor, but also entered into an unlawful agreement with a third party to protect himself financially should the 39-year-old fail to appear in court. To further distance himself from the crime, he later filed a false police report claiming he had been in regular contact with the bailed individual before losing touch — a claim that was found to be untrue.
The 25-year-old accomplice is said to have driven to the prison to pick up the bailed man and transported him to a hotel, where he paid for a room. He also reportedly acted as a courier, delivering the bail amount in cash to the 41-year-old, thus enabling the unlawful indemnity agreement.
The 39-year-old man, who was facing charges in an unrelated criminal matter, has since absconded and failed to appear in court. A warrant of arrest has been issued against him. Authorities are working with international law enforcement to track him down.
Charges and Penalties Under the Law
The two suspects will face multiple charges in court on 22 July 2025. The 41-year-old will be charged with:
- Obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871;
- Entering into an agreement to indemnify against bail liability under Section 106A of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010;
- Providing false information to a public servant under Section 182 of the Penal Code 1871.
The 25-year-old faces charges for:
- Obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A; and
- Abetting the unlawful bail indemnity agreement under Section 106A read with Section 109 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, the offence of obstructing justice carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. The illegal bail indemnity agreement is punishable with up to three years in jail, a fine, or both. Giving false information to a public servant is also a serious offence, with a possible jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.
Strong Stand Against Abuse of Legal Processes
The Police have reiterated their firm stance against any interference in the administration of justice, noting that such actions erode public trust in Singapore’s legal system.
“These acts undermine the integrity of the justice process. The Police take a serious view of such offences and will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action,” the statement said.
The case also highlights vulnerabilities in bail procedures and reinforces the need for greater scrutiny of individuals who come forward as bailors — especially when large sums of money are involved and the accused is a flight risk.