IBADAN—The Police have arrested the father and family friend of embattled Director-General of the purported Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Adeyemi Adeniyi, in Osogbo, Oyo State.
Recall that Adeniyi had gone into hiding, following revelations that he had allegedly scammed the Federal Government through the creation of a fake presidential council. Watch the video behind the story
The arrest came on a day Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, clarified that no Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, account was successfully opened for the controversial council, insisting that no public funds had been released to the body, despite its budgetary allocation, contrary to the position of presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
No legal basisfor substituted arrests, says Falana
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, who disclosed news of the arrest in a telephone conversation with journalists yesterday, said police operatives stormed the family’s residence and arrested Adeyemi’s father alongside 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.
“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?” Falana queried.
Residents in the neighbourhood also confirmed the incident.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the officers arrived in four vehicles before taking Adeyemi’s father away.
“They came in four vehicles, and started harassing them and eventually took the father away. 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,” the resident said.
Another resident, who also preferred anonymity, said Adeyemi’s father was arrested alongside a visitor, while his mother was left in shock.
“Baba was taken away with someone who came to visit them this morning (yesterday). They left the mother, who is currently in shock, but we have moved her away,” the resident said.
The development comes amid controversy surrounding the purported PFIPC, which the presidency has described as a fictitious agency.
Adeyemi is facing charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences over his purported appointment as director-general of the council, and the case is currently before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Falana has repeatedly argued that issues surrounding the alleged PFIPC should be resolved through due process, maintaining that only the courts have the constitutional authority to determine criminal liability.
It’s outside my jurisdiction— Oyo CP
When contacted the spokesperson of the Oyo Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, he said: “The case involving Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew is a matter of national interest and is currently under investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
‘’As such, it falls outside my jurisdiction. Consequently, anyone seeking updates regarding the alleged arrest of his parents in Ogbomoso or any other developments in the case is kindly advised to contact the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Force Headquarters, Abuja, or the FCID Liaison Public Relations Officer for accurate and official information.”
PFIPC has no CBN account, OAGF clarifies
Meanwhile, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, yesterday disowned the claim that the disputed PFIPC opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
While responding to claims made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, the Presidency had said Adeyemi misled OAGF and opened a CBN account..Click to Complete>>>