The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemns the reported arrest of the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in what appears to be yet another case of substituted arrest – a practice that is unlawful, unconstitutional, and incompatible with the rule of law.
According to credible media reports, police officers stormed the family’s residence in Ogbomoso and arrested Mr. Adeyemi’s father, along with a family friend, despite reports that Prince Adeyemi had undertaken to present himself before the appropriate authorities. The operation reportedly left the elderly mother of the suspect traumatized.
“If these reports are accurate, the action represents a blatant violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and established principles of justice. Criminal responsibility is personal, Executive Director of the Rule of Law, Accountability and Advocacy Center, RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma said on Monday, adding that, “No individual should be arrested, detained, intimidated, or punished for the alleged conduct of another person, regardless of family relationship.”
He said that RULAAC aligns with the position expressed by eminent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, that there is no legal basis whatsoever for substituted arrests.
“The Nigeria Police Force has both a constitutional and statutory obligation to investigate crime within the bounds of the law. Arresting innocent relatives to compel the appearance of a suspect amounts to abuse of police powers and violates the fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed under Section 35 of the Constitution.
“Sadly, despite repeated judicial pronouncements, the enactment of the ACJA, the Police Act 2020, and years of human rights advocacy and police reform efforts, substituted arrests continue to occur. Such practices erode public confidence in law enforcement, undermine the credibility of criminal investigations, and reinforce perceptions of impunity within the policing system.”
RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police to:
1. Immediately order the release of Prince Adeyemi’s father and any other person unlawfully arrested in connection with this matter, unless there exists independent lawful grounds for their detention.
2. Institute an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
3. Identify and appropriately sanction any police officers found to have authorised or carried out an unlawful substituted arrest.
4. Reiterate clear operational directives to all police commands that substituted arrest is illegal and will attract disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force must demonstrate that its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights extends beyond policy documents to operational practice. The legitimacy of policing depends not only on bringing suspects to justice but also on respecting the rights and dignity of every citizen.
RULAAC will continue to monitor developments in this matter and will not relent in its advocacy against arbitrary arrest, abuse of police powers, and all forms of human rights violations. No Nigerian should lose their liberty simply because they are related to a person wanted by law enforcement.
