Fresh controversy has emerged in the PFIPC scandal. Femi Falana says police arrested the father of a key suspect instead of the man at the centre of the investigation.
ABUJA, FCT — Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force arrested the father of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, a central figure in the PFIPC scandal. According to Falana, the arrest has raised fresh concerns about the use of substituted arrests during criminal investigations in Nigeria.
Falana said Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi remains the principal figure linked to the PFIPC case, but police officers reportedly took his father into custody instead. According to the senior lawyer, the action contradicts established legal principles, which hold that criminal responsibility remains personal and cannot transfer to relatives or associates.
In a statement, Falana criticised the reported arrest and called for respect for the rule of law. He maintained that security agencies should arrest only individuals who face allegations or criminal charges. He also urged the authorities to ensure that investigations follow constitutional procedures and protect the rights of every citizen.
The PFIPC scandal has continued to attract public attention, with calls for law enforcement agencies to conduct a transparent investigation. Although details of the allegations against Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi remain the subject of ongoing inquiries, the latest claim by Falana has shifted attention to the conduct of the investigation itself. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to Falana’s allegation or confirmed the reported arrest.
The development means the investigation could face increased public and legal scrutiny, especially regarding compliance with constitutional safeguards during criminal investigations. If the allegation proves accurate, legal experts expect renewed calls for law enforcement agencies to avoid substituted arrests and ensure that only persons directly linked to alleged offences face arrest or prosecution. Authorities may issue further statements as the investigation continues.
