PFIPC SCANDAL: SERAP demands release of Adeyemi's father, seeks probe of alleged fake presidential council

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed concern over the reported arrest and detention of the father of Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi in connection with allegations involving the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an entity the Presidency has described as fictitious.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, SERAP said reports indicated that despite the Presidency’s position, the purported council allegedly received more than ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The organisation argued that, under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards, criminal responsibility is personal and no individual should be arrested or detained for an offence allegedly committed by another person.

According to SERAP, Section 36(8) of the 1999 Constitution provides that a person can only be held liable for his or her own conduct, while Section 35 guarantees the right to personal liberty.

The group also cited Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention.

“If the reports are accurate, the authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Mr Adeyemi’s father unless there is admissible evidence that he personally committed a recognisable criminal offence. The rule of law demands individual criminal responsibility, not guilt by association,” the statement said.

SERAP also called on the National Assembly to investigate how the purported agency was allegedly included in the 2026 Appropriation Act and allocated public funds.

It urged lawmakers to determine whether any public officials abused their offices, failed in their duties or facilitated any illegality.

The organisation further called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct independent investigations into the alleged budgetary allocation and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.

According to SERAP, accountability requires investigating not only individuals outside government but also any public officials who may have enabled the alleged misuse of public institutions and public funds.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which it described as a fictitious body lacking legal backing.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation within 30 days and submit a comprehensive report.