Breaking: Lawyer Inibehe Effiong Secures Freedom of Quadri Yusuf Alabi Who Stood Before Obi’s Convoy After Months in Kirikiri

A Lagos magistrate court has released 17-year-old Quadri Yusuf Alabi months after he was wrongly detained for armed robbery. Alabi became popular in 2023 after a photo of him standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy went viral.

His release was confirmed on Thursday, April 17, by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who led the legal team. Effiong described the case as a “sinister frame-up” and a clear sign of the problems in Nigeria’s justice system.

Alabi was arrested in January 2025 after being falsely accused of armed robbery by officers at the Amukoko Police Station in Lagos. He was reportedly abducted near his home by local thugs, known in the area as “Lege” and “Baba Waris,” who had long harassed him for not sharing monetary gifts he received following his viral moment.

The police, acting on the thugs’ claims, initially accused him of street fighting but later arraigned him for armed robbery, joining him with four adult strangers he had never met. The police also falsified his age as 18 to bypass juvenile protections.

Alabi was remanded at the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre without trial.

Effiong, who took up the case after it was brought to public attention by activist Hassana Nurudeen, said there was no evidence linking Alabi to the alleged robbery. The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, advised against prosecuting him. Based on that, the presiding Magistrate, A. O. Olorunfemi, discharged him. The director’s advice clearly stated that there was no proof linking Alabi to any robbery.

Effiong has called for disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer of Amukoko, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and other officers involved. He also demanded N100 million in compensation and a public apology from the police.

If the above three remedial demands are not fully complied with immediately, we shall initiate legal actions to seek redress. Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force.

There are many Quadris languishing in detention centres across Nigeria because of the unbridled criminality, lawlessness, and lack of accountability in the Police institution and the weakness of the justice system, he stated.

Alabi’s case was initially set for a hearing on April 28. However, the legal team requested an earlier date, which the court approved. He was freed on Thursday, April 17.

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