Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of PFIPC Forgery Suspect's Father in Ogbomoso

The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC) intensified on Monday after police operatives raided the Ogbomoso family residence of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, the central figure in the ongoing forgery investigation linked to the purported council.

Reports indicate that Adeyemi’s father, along with a family friend who was visiting that morning, was taken into custody by the police. Eyewitnesses described Adeniyi's elderly mother being left in a state of shock following the incident.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), confirmed these developments to our correspondent via telephone, with corroboration from several eyewitnesses. Falana expressed strong disapproval of the arrests, stating, “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?”

An anonymous resident of the area informed PUNCH Online that police officers arrived at the premises in four vehicles. The source claimed the officers harassed the family before taking Adeniyi's father away, preventing neighbours from intervening. The neighbour also noted the presence of a man in blue clothes patrolling the vicinity afterward.

Another anonymous neighbour corroborated the account, adding, "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," an eyewitness stated in Yoruba, later translated to English.

As of the time of this report, PUNCH Online could not independently verify these claims, and the police have not yet released an official statement regarding the alleged operation.

This latest incident comes amidst continued national attention on the PFIPC scandal. Allegations suggest the council was never legally established, despite operating under claims of presidential authority. The controversy has led to criminal charges against Adeniyi, including alleged forgery, impersonation, and related offenses. The case has appeared in court multiple times, with the prosecution filing charges while police investigations are ongoing.

Falana has consistently advocated for due process in resolving the PFIPC allegations. He recently argued that the Presidency lacks the constitutional power to absolve anyone accused of wrongdoing, stressing that only the courts are empowered to determine criminal liability. The senior advocate has also cautioned against actions that could suggest intimidation or interference while criminal proceedings are active in court.

Police have arrested the father of fake agency DG suspect Adeyemi Adeniyi in Ogbomoso through an illegal "substituted arrest" tactic to force the suspect out of hiding