The father of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of operating a non-existent presidential agency, has spoken out following a security raid on his family home in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Adetunji Adeniyi described his son as “soft-hearted” and “well-behaved,” expressing distress over the public rumors surrounding the case.
Father Defends Son Amid Controversy
In an interview with BBC Yoruba on Wednesday, July 8, Adetunji Adeniyi said the ongoing controversy has left him physically and emotionally troubled. “My child is not a troublesome person who will do that type of thing that they are looking for him,” he stated. He insisted that his son is not a criminal and questioned why authorities are pursuing him.
Details of the Security Raid
The elderly man recounted how operatives arrived unannounced at his compound. “They jumped into my compound through the fence. They spoiled the barbed wire and started banging on the door. I asked who was at the door, and they identified themselves as government security personnel. They barged inside and started scattering everywhere, searching everywhere,” he said. The operatives did not find Adeyemi and returned a second time before leaving. Adetunji noted that they never disclosed the specific offence his son is suspected of committing. “They did not tell me what my son did. They just told me that the government was looking for him,” he added.
Father’s Knowledge of Son’s Work
When asked about his son’s place of work, Adetunji said he only knows what Adeyemi told the family. “I said I do not know, but he told me he works with the government in Abuja. I have never been to his office before,” he explained. He added that his son had visited home recently before returning to Abuja, and questioned why he should be expected to prevent that. The father was taken in for questioning but later released.
Falana Challenges Detention
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, representing Adeyemi, argued during an Arise News interview on Tuesday, July 7, that detaining the elderly man had no legal basis. “The reported arrest of Mr Adeyemi’s father cannot be justified under the Constitution, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and under the Nigeria Police Act,” Falana said. Police officers later informed Falana that the man had not been formally arrested but had been invited to assist with inquiries and released after providing a statement. Falana maintained that any statement should have been obtained at the man’s residence rather than at a police station.
Background of the Case
Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi is the director-general of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency claims does not exist. A video resurfaced online showing Adeyemi questioning how the agency appeared in official budget documents and claiming it maintained accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The controversy intensified over a reported N1.3 billion budget allocation. The Presidency has consistently denied the allegations. The case continues to draw public attention as legal and security proceedings unfold.
