Quadri Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained national attention for standing in front of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi's convoy during the 2023 election campaign, has been released after nearly three months in detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos. A Magistrate Court in Apapa discharged Alabi on Thursday following legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded there was no evidence to support the armed robbery charges filed against him.
Alabi's lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, took to social media to announce his client's release, describing the arrest and detention as a "diabolical frame-up" allegedly orchestrated by local thugs named Lege and Baba Waris in the Amukoko area of Lagos. Effiong explained that Alabi was abducted near his home and handed over to the police on false claims of being involved in a street fight.
Since 2023, Alabi had reportedly faced repeated threats, allegedly due to donations he received from supporters of Peter Obi. Effiong further revealed that the family had been pressured by local community leaders to provide a cow and host a feast to “appease” the area.
At the hearing, Magistrate A.O. Olorunfemi confirmed that the DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins, advised against prosecution due to the lack of evidence. Effiong expressed his gratitude to the DPP for supporting the truth and criticized the police for subjecting Alabi to what he deemed an unjust ordeal. He also pointed out that Alabi, who was originally arraigned on January 26, had his age falsely recorded as 18 and was detained with four adult strangers.
The case had gained public attention earlier in April when it was highlighted by Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of the Ray of Hope Prison Outreach. Effiong has called for disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer of Amukoko Police Station and others involved in the case, demanding N100 million in compensation and a public apology from the police.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong stated.
