The Fake Agency Scandal has taken a fresh twist after the Nigeria Police reportedly arrested the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man facing trial over the alleged operation of a fictitious government agency linked to the Presidency.
According to The Punch, the arrest has sparked criticism from senior lawyers and human rights advocates, who questioned whether the action complies with Nigerian law.
Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, is currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faces charges that include conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. In addition, the Federal Government listed Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among the witnesses expected to testify during the trial.
Reports indicated that Adeyemi’s father was arrested at his residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, during a police operation. Officers also reportedly detained a family friend who visited the home. Meanwhile, Adeyemi’s elderly mother was left distressed after the incident.
However, the Fake Agency Scandal has now raised broader concerns about the legality of arresting relatives of criminal suspects. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the action. He argued that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest of a relative simply because another family member is under investigation or standing trial. He also noted that Adeyemi had already promised to appear in court, making the arrest of his father difficult to justify if it aimed to compel his appearance.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged the public to wait for the police to explain the reason behind the arrest. Nevertheless, he stressed that the law does not allow authorities to detain a person merely to pressure another individual to surrender. He added that the situation would differ only if Adeyemi’s father was independently being investigated as a suspect.
Furthermore, other senior lawyers maintained that criminal responsibility is personal under Nigerian law. Therefore, they argued that investigators cannot lawfully arrest relatives unless credible evidence directly links them to an alleged offence.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights also called on the Inspector-General of Police to release Adeyemi’s father immediately if no evidence connects him to any crime. The group warned that arbitrary arrests could weaken public confidence in the justice system and violate constitutional rights.
As the Fake Agency Scandal continues to unfold, public attention remains fixed on the ongoing court proceedings and the Presidency’s response. Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has also threatened a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit over allegations made against Adeyemi, adding another layer to the high-profile case.
