The controversy surrounding the alleged N1.3bn Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal deepened on Monday after the Nigeria Police reportedly arrested the father of the council’s promoter, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Adeyemi, who claims to be the council’s Director-General, is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the arrest, describing it as unlawful, while eyewitnesses said police officers arrived at the family residence in multiple vehicles before taking Adeyemi’s father into custody. Neighbours alleged the elderly man was arrested alongside a family friend who had visited the house, leaving Adeyemi’s mother traumatised.
The arrest has triggered widespread condemnation from senior lawyers, including Nigerian Bar Association President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), who stressed that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest of relatives simply to pressure a suspect to surrender. Other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including Sam Erugo, Wolemi Esan, Wahab Shittu and Isiaka Olagunju, cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Constitution, insisting that criminal responsibility is personal and that “arrest in lieu” remains illegal unless the relative is independently linked to the alleged offence.
While legal experts demanded an explanation from the police, the Force Headquarters declined to comment. Force spokesperson, Anietie Iniedu, said he had not been briefed on the matter, while the Oyo State Police Command referred enquiries to the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, which is handling the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation denied reports that public funds were released to the controversial council. Spokesman Bawa Mokwa explained that although the council applied to open a government account, the process was never completed because it failed to provide the required signatories, meaning no operational account existed for any budgetary release. He also noted that implementation of the 2026 budget only commenced on July 1, after investigations into the agency had already begun.
The Senate also sought to distance itself from the controversy. Lawmakers argued that the National Assembly neither created the council nor originated its budget, insisting that the agency did not fall under the oversight of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service. Committee Chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, said he had no knowledge of the PFIPC and maintained that it was not among the agencies supervised by his committee.
