From Moshood Karim
A Lagos magistrate court has ordered the release of 17-year-old Quadri Yusuf Alabi, months after the teenager was wrongfully detained on fabricated charges of armed robbery. Quadri gained national attention during the 2023 general elections when he stood boldly in front of the campaign convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in a spontaneous act that captured public imagination.
On Wednesday, the teenager walked free from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, following a ruling that there was no evidence linking him to the alleged crime. His legal team, led by prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, hailed the court’s decision and condemned the actions of the police, calling the entire case a “sinister and corrupt scheme”.
According to a statement released by Effiong, Quadri was abducted near his family home in the Amukoko area of Lagos by two known street thugs, locally referred to as ‘Area Boys’, named Lege and Baba Waris. He was reportedly harassed for months by these individuals and others who believed they were entitled to a share of the donations and support he received after his viral encounter with Peter Obi.
The legal counsel revealed that these thugs dragged Quadri to the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters, where officers initially claimed he had been involved in a street fight. Matters escalated dramatically when, on 26 January 2025, police took Quadri to a magistrate court in Apapa and secured an order for his remand at Kirikiri on an armed robbery charge.
Effiong further alleged that the police manipulated the case by misrepresenting Quadri’s age as 18 to avoid legal scrutiny over detaining a minor. They also falsely grouped him with four adults he had no connection with, presenting them as co-defendants in the case.
Quadri’s plight came to light thanks to the intervention of Ms Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, who brought the case to public attention. With the support of his mother and legal team, the case gained traction, eventually prompting a reassessment by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
In court on Wednesday, Magistrate A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs) confirmed that a legal review conducted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, found no basis for prosecution. The DPP recommended that Quadri not be charged, leading to the court formally discharging him.
While celebrating the teenager’s release, Effiong issued a stern demand to the police authorities. He called on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, and the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove the Divisional Police Officer of Amukoko station and launch disciplinary proceedings against him, along with the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and others involved in the wrongful detention.
He also demanded ₦100 million in compensation for Quadri and a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force, warning that failure to meet these conditions would result in legal action.
“Quadri’s ordeal is a tragic example of the deep-rooted corruption and impunity that plague the Nigerian Police Force,” Effiong said. “For every Quadri who regains freedom, there are countless others who remain unjustly detained in cells across the country.”
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