Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss’ Father, Calls Action Illegal

The controversy surrounding the alleged fake Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC) has taken a new turn after operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reportedly arrested the father of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, the man facing criminal charges over his alleged role as the council’s Director-General.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, described the arrest as unlawful, insisting that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest of relatives in place of criminal suspects.

Falana disclosed on Monday that police officers stormed the Adeniyi family residence at Plot 3, Adeniyi Dynasty, behind Technical College, Road Safety Area, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, where they arrested Adeniyi’s father during a raid.

According to him, a family friend who had visited the residence on Monday morning was also taken into custody.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Falana questioned the legal basis for the operation, maintaining that the suspect had already undertaken to appear before the court.

“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 said.

Eyewitnesses in the area reportedly said the officers arrived in multiple vehicles before taking the elderly man away. Residents also claimed the operation caused panic within the neighbourhood, while Adeniyi’s elderly mother was left distressed by the incident.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official statement explaining the arrests.

The latest development adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC), an organisation the Presidency has maintained is not a legally recognised government agency.

Prince Adeniyi is currently facing criminal charges, including forgery, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and other related offences.

Federal authorities allege that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council using forged appointment letters and official documents to project the PFIPC as a legitimate federal institution.

However, Adeniyi has denied the allegations, insisting that his appointment was genuine and that he will defend himself before the court.

Falana has consistently argued that allegations against Adeniyi should be determined strictly through the judicial process. The senior lawyer recently maintained that the Presidency lacks constitutional powers to declare anyone guilty or innocent of criminal allegations, stressing that such decisions remain the exclusive responsibility of the courts.

He also warned against actions capable of intimidating parties connected to the case while proceedings remain before the court.

Beyond the criminal trial, the controversy has triggered broader questions about how the alleged council reportedly operated for months.

Falana has called for an independent investigation into claims that the organisation maintained offices within the Federal Secretariat, allegedly operated bank accounts, interacted with public institutions and even appeared in the 2026 Federal Budget, despite government officials insisting that the council never legally existed.

The senior lawyer has also urged authorities to identify any public officials who may have facilitated the activities of the alleged organisation.

On its part, the Presidency has distanced itself from the PFIPC, describing the organisation as fictitious while directing security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police, to investigate everyone connected with the alleged scheme.

The criminal case against Adeniyi remains before the court, with no judicial determination yet made on the allegations.

The reported arrest of his father has, however, introduced a fresh legal and human rights dimension to a case that continues to generate national attention.

Falana Slams Police Over Arrest of Alleged PFIPC Boss’ Father, Calls Action Illegal

Ibadan: Police Arrest Masquerade Over Alleged Killing of 24-Year-Old Resident

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a masquerade identified as Asoleke in connection with the alleged killing of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, during a traditional procession in the Labiran area of Ibadan on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

The Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, while four other suspects believed to have participated in the attack remain at large. According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the case was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday by a woman identified as Mrs Aderemi. She reported that at about 4:00 p.m., she received a distress call from her elder sister informing her that the Asoleke masquerade and its followers had attacked her younger brother while parading through the neighbourhood.

The police statement revealed that the masquerader and its followers allegedly attacked Mr Kehinde with axes and cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries on various parts of his body. Police operatives from the Mapo Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly responded to the report and evacuated the victim to a hospital for urgent medical attention. However, he was unfortunately confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty. The command added that investigators processed the crime scene, documented relevant evidence, and took photographs as part of their investigation. The deceased’s family subsequently requested and obtained the release of the corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

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The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough and comprehensive investigation. The police have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and have appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the investigation. According to Daily Post, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, had earlier warned masquerades and their followers against involvement in any form of violence, stating that the festival is neither an avenue to settle old scores, engage in supremacy contests, nor carry out retaliatory attacks.

This incident has renewed concerns over violence sometimes associated with traditional masquerade processions in parts of Nigeria, where clashes and attacks during festivals have occasionally resulted in deaths and injuries. Traditional masquerade festivals remain an important aspect of Yoruba cultural heritage, but several celebrations have been marred by violent confrontations involving masqueraders, rival groups, residents, and passers-by. Rights advocates have continued to call for stricter enforcement of public safety regulations during traditional celebrations, insisting that cultural practices should not endanger lives or infringe on the rights of residents. The Oyo State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and vowed to ensure that all those found culpable are brought to justice.

Ibadan: Police Arrest Masquerade Over Alleged Killing of 24-Year-Old Resident

Bauchi: Suspected Political Thugs Kill Islamiyya Teacher Over Poster Dispute

A middle-aged Islamic studies teacher, Ustaz Ridwan Dauda, has been stabbed to death by suspected political thugs in Bauchi metropolis following a heated argument over the pasting of a politician’s campaign poster on his building wall.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday in the Karofin-Madaki neighbourhood, around the JEDCO transformer area, leaving a father of five dead and a community in shock. Eyewitnesses reported that Dauda had objected to a man pasting a politician’s poster on the wall of his building, but the individual ignored his warning and continued with the action.

The suspect subsequently called an associate who arrived at the scene and also began pasting posters, escalating the situation into a heated confrontation. During the argument, one of the thugs reportedly produced a dagger and stabbed Dauda in the chest before fleeing the scene. Residents rushed the wounded teacher to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Community members described Ustaz Rilwanu as a kind and hardworking individual who supported his family through various means. Aside from teaching at the Islamiyya school, he took on menial jobs, including security guarding and breaking firewood, to care for his wife and five children. A resident, Bukhari Mu’azu Abubakar, who posted his condolences on Facebook, called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the remote and immediate causes of the unfortunate incident. He also urged community elders and leaders to take measures to prevent future occurrences and advised that politicians and their supporters should be stopped from defacing private properties with campaign materials.

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This incident echoes previous tragedies in Bauchi State, highlighting a troubling pattern of election-related violence. In 2018, two youths were killed in separate locations—Jahun and Wanka streets—during clashes over the pasting and destruction of political campaign posters belonging to rival aspirants. Bauchi has also experienced numerous other violent conflicts over the years, often linked to ethno-religious tensions and political manipulation. In 1991 and 1994, the Tafawa Balewa area witnessed violent clashes that claimed hundreds of lives, with political and religious dimensions intertwined. Nigerian politicians have admitted that the country’s religious divide is often exploited, with political leaders manipulating youths to attack opponents. Recent incidents have also raised concerns about political thuggery in the state. In May 2026, suspected political thugs attacked vehicles belonging to members of the Peoples Democratic Party during a governorship candidate affirmation event in Bauchi, vandalising cars and destroying campaign materials. The police confirmed the attack and arrested two suspects in connection with the violence.

As of the time of filing this report, the Bauchi State Police Command had not officially confirmed the latest killing. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, did not respond to messages seeking comment on the development. This stands in contrast to the police’s response to previous incidents of political violence in the state, where the command issued statements confirming attacks and announcing arrests.

Residents of Karofin-Madaki have called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the assailants, stressing that justice for the Dauda family must be pursued without delay. The community remains in mourning over the senseless killing of a man who was simply defending his property from political defacement, leaving behind a wife and five children. The incident has also reignited calls for stronger measures to regulate political campaign activities and prevent thugs from exploiting the political season to intimidate and harm residents.

Bauchi: Suspected Political Thugs Kill Islamiyya Teacher Over Poster Dispute