By Sabiu Abdullahi
The father of Adeyemi Adeniyi, the man who claims to be the director-general of the purported Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC), has been arrested by police officers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, according to human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
Falana disclosed the development during a telephone interview with journalists on Monday. He alleged that security operatives raided the family residence and arrested Adeniyi’s father as well as a family friend who was visiting the home.
“Police have now stormed the house of the parents of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, Plot 3, Adeniyi Dynasty, behind Technical College, Road Safety Area, Ogbomoso,” Falana said.
“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to show up in court, so why arrest his father?”
Residents of the area also confirmed the incident. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officers arrived in four vehicles before taking the elderly man away.
“They came with four vehicles, and they started harassing them and eventually took the father away,” the resident said.
“They didn’t allow the neighbours to intervene before they took him away. At the moment, there is a man in blue clothes patrolling the area.”
Another resident said the officers also arrested a visitor who was at the family home. The source added that Adeniyi’s mother was left traumatised after the operation.
“Baba was taken away with someone who came to visit them this morning. They left the mother, who is currently in shock, but we have moved her away,” the resident said.
The arrest comes amid the controversy surrounding the PFIPC, which the Presidency has described as a fictitious agency.
Adeyemi is currently facing charges of alleged forgery, impersonation and other related offences over his claimed appointment as director-general of the council. The matter is before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Falana has consistently maintained that the allegations against Adeyemi should be determined through the judicial process. He has also argued that only the courts have the constitutional authority to establish criminal liability.
