Atiku Condemns Arrest of Adeyemi’s Father, Demands Rule of Law in PFIPC Scandal
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the arrest of the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, describing the action as a serious abuse of power and a violation of the rule of law amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The condemnation followed reports that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested Adeyemi’s father during a raid on the family residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, while searching for Adeyemi, who is facing allegations linked to the PFIPC controversy. The Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency and has accused Adeyemi of impersonation and forgery.
Reacting through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest of relatives in place of suspects, insisting that security agencies should pursue individuals under investigation through lawful means rather than targeting family members. He described the arrest as an unlawful overreach capable of undermining public confidence in law enforcement and democratic institutions.
Atiku maintained that if authorities possess evidence against Adeyemi, they should arrest and prosecute him in accordance with the law instead of detaining innocent relatives. He called for the immediate release of Adeyemi’s father and urged security agencies to respect constitutional rights while carrying out investigations.
The development has also drawn criticism from senior human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who described the police action as an unlawful “substituted arrest.” Falana insisted that criminal investigations must be be directed solely at the individual accused of an offence and urged authorities to release the elderly man without delay.
