The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has condemned the alleged arrest of the father of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, describing the action as unconstitutional and a violation of both Nigerian and international human rights laws.
In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by the National President of the organisation, Yinka Folarin, and the General Secretary, Idris Afees, the group called on the Inspector-General of Police to order the immediate and unconditional release of the elderly man if he was being detained solely because of his son’s alleged involvement in any investigation.
The rights group said reports indicated that the elder Adeniyi was arrested in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, in what it described as an attempt to compel Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi to honour police invitations.
According to the organisation, if the reports are true, the action amounts to “substituted arrest,” a practice it said has no place in a constitutional democracy.
CDHR maintained that arresting or detaining a relative in place of a suspect is unlawful, arbitrary and inconsistent with the principles of justice and the rule of law.
The organisation 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 by a competent court.
It also relied on Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which expressly prohibits the arrest of one person in place of another.
“The law leaves no room for ambiguity. A person shall not be arrested in place of a suspect,” the statement read.
CDHR further argued that the reported arrest contravenes Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protecting individuals from arbitrary arrest and detention.
The group said it was particularly disturbed by reports that Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi had allegedly indicated his willingness to present himself before law enforcement authorities, insisting that there could be no legal justification for arresting his father under such circumstances.
It warned that law enforcement agencies must not resort to intimidation, coercion or collective punishment while carrying out their constitutional duties.
The organisation urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to professionalism, impartiality and respect for fundamental human rights.
It added that public confidence in the police would continue to erode if officers acted outside the provisions of the law.
CDHR also warned that it would closely monitor developments surrounding the matter and would not hesitate to pursue constitutional, judicial and international human rights remedies if the alleged unlawful detention persisted.
“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 added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to respond to the allegations contained in the statement.
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