Quadri Yusuf Alabi, who gained national attention during the 2023 elections when he spontaneously jumped in front of presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, has been freed after spending nearly three months in Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre on what his lawyers describe as fabricated armed robbery charges.
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Magistrate A.O. Olorunfemi discharged the 17-year-old on Thursday, April 17, after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins, issued legal advice stating there was no evidence to support the armed robbery allegations against him.
According to Inibehe Effiong, lead counsel for Alabi, the teenager was abducted in January by two men known as “Area Boys” near his family home in Amukoko, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, and taken to the local police station.
“Quadri was returning from work when he was grabbed by these individuals who have been harassing him since 2023 for not sharing donations he received during the election period,” Effiong said in a statement.
The lawyer alleges that officers at Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters deliberately misrepresented Alabi’s age as 18 and fraudulently joined his case with four unrelated adults before charging him with armed robbery. The teenager was subsequently remanded at Kirikiri prison on January 26.
Effiong claims the family was pressured by local community leaders to make appeasements to the “Area Boys,” who targeted Alabi out of jealousy over the attention and gifts he received after his encounter with Obi went viral.
The case drew public attention last week when Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, highlighted Alabi’s situation on social media.
Effiong has demanded the removal and disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer of Amukoko station and the investigating officer, Inspector Odigbe Samuel. The lawyer is also seeking ₦100 million in compensation and a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the corruption, impunity, and injustice in the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong stated. “There are many Quadris languishing in detention centres across Nigeria because of criminality, lawlessness, and lack of accountability in the police institution.”
Alabi’s brief moment of fame occurred during the heated 2023 presidential campaign when he spontaneously stood in front of Peter Obi’s convoy in a show of support that went viral on social media.
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