Rights Group Demands Release Of PFIPC Promoter’s Father

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order the immediate and unconditional release of Adeniyi Adeyemi’s father.

Naija News reports that the group described his continued detention as unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Yinka Folarin, and National Secretary, Idris Afees, on Monday, the CDHR said the arrest amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international human rights instruments binding on Nigeria.

The group condemned what it described as a case of substitute arrest, insisting that the practice is “unlawful, unconstitutional, arbitrary and incompatible with every known principle of justice and the rule of law.”

“The Nigeria Police Force is a professional institution established to enforce the law, not to circumvent it,” the group said.

“The powers of arrest vested in the police must be exercised strictly within constitutional and statutory limits. Any deviation erodes public confidence and undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

Group Urges IGP To Act

The CDHR urged the IGP to ensure the release of Adeyemi’s father and any other person allegedly detained in connection with the matter, unless there is credible evidence personally linking them to a criminal offence.

“Accordingly, the CDHR calls on the Inspector-General of Police to order the immediate and unconditional release of Adeyemi’s father and any other person who may have been unlawfully detained in connection with this matter, unless there exists credible evidence linking them personally to the commission of a recognisable criminal offence,” the statement added.

The group also warned against using the police as an instrument of coercion.

It said, “We equally urge the Inspector-General of Police to resist every temptation to allow the Nigeria Police Force to become a manipulative instrument in matters capable of undermining public confidence in the institution.

“The office of the Inspector-General carries enormous constitutional responsibility, and the nation expects its occupant to preserve the hard-earned reputation of the Force by demonstrating unwavering commitment to professionalism, impartiality, respect for human rights and strict adherence to the rule of law.”

The CDHR cited Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to personal liberty, and Section 36(5), which presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty.

It also said Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, expressly prohibits substitute arrest.

The group said, “Criminal liability is personal; no citizen may be punished, intimidated or detained for the alleged conduct of another.

“Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, expressly provides that a person shall not be arrested in place of a suspect. This provision leaves no room for ambiguity.”

The organisation also cited Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Articles 3 and 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all of which prohibit arbitrary arrest and guarantee the right to personal liberty.

Group Threatens Legal Action

The CDHR said reports indicated that Adeyemi had expressed willingness to present himself to the authorities, arguing that there was no legal basis for arresting his father or any other family member.

“Law enforcement must never descend into intimidation, coercion or collective punishment. No one should lose his liberty because of another person’s alleged offence. The law is clear, and it must be obeyed by all, especially those entrusted with enforcing it,” the statement read.

The group said it would continue to monitor developments and would not hesitate to pursue constitutional, judicial and international human rights mechanisms if the alleged unlawful detention persists.