Robbery allegation: Obi demands justice for boy who stood in front of his convoy
Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has demand justice for Quadri Yusuf Alabi, over his imprisonment on false robbery allegation. Speaking on Friday via his X handle, Obi also demanded that all those responsible for his incarceration must be held accountable. Daily Trust reports that Quadri became popular after […]
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Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has demand justice for Quadri Yusuf Alabi, over his imprisonment on false robbery allegation.
Speaking on Friday via his X handle, Obi also demanded that all those responsible for his incarceration must be held accountable.
Daily Trust reports that Quadri became popular after he playfully stood in front of the motorcade of Obi in Lagos during the 2023 elections campaign.
He was, however, arrested, initially for street fighting, before being arranged for armed robbery and remanded in Kirikiri maximum custodial centre.
He was later released after the judge dismissed his arraignment for want of evidence linking him to the said armed robbery.
Speaking on the development, Obi said, “Today (Friday), I had the opportunity to meet with Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the young boy whose story moved us all. After enduring unjust and illegal incarceration, he is finally free, and I am very grateful to the lawyers led by @InibeheEffiong, who fought for his release and also @DeleFarotimi and Ms Hassana Nurudeen, whose constant intervention was instrumental in securing justice for the young lad.
“I listened to Quadri today, and one thing stood out clearly: his unwavering desire for education. Despite all he has been through, his only dream is to return to school and complete his education and I will make sure he gets it.”
He said Quadri’s determination is not just inspiring; it is a call to action, and that he was committed to ensuring that he gets the education he desires and deserves.
“In addition, we must not stop at his release. Those responsible for his illegal incarceration must be held accountable. As we strive to build a Nigeria where fairness and integrity prevail, we cannot afford to allow such acts of criminality to go unpunished,” Obi said.
In another statement, Inibehe Effiong, the Lead Counsel, in the Quadri case, announced the release of the release of the detained Quadri.
He said, “Quadri Alabi, teen who stood in front of Peter Obi’s convoy regains freedom from Kirikiri months after being framed for armed robbery by Lagos police.
“We are excited to announce that Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year old teenager who gained fame during the 2023 elections after he spontaneously jumped and stood in front of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. @PeterObi, has been freed by the court today, 17th April, 2025.
“Our client, Quadri was abducted by two ‘Area Boys’ who are notoriously known in the community as Lege and Baba Waris close to his family residence at Amukoko, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area and dumped at the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters (Pako Police Station) in Lagos State.
“Quadri was returning from work when he was grabbed by the duo, who along with other jealous and entitled Area Boys in the community, have been harassing him and threatening to deal with him since 2023 for not giving them ‘their share’ of donations gifted him during the last elections period.
“Quadri’s family informed us that the Baale of the community equally pressured them to buy a cow and rice and cook for the community to appease the Area Boys,” Effiong said.
He said that the abductors initially told the officers at Amukoko Police Station that Quadri was involved in street fighting.
“To the consternation of Quadri and his family, the police on 26th January, 2025 took Quadri before a Magistrate in Apapa, and obtained an order remanding him at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri on a trumped-up charge of armed robbery.
“The police fraudulently joined Quadri with four strange adults who had no form of connection or relationship whatsoever with him and claimed that the four strange men were his crime mates.
“As part of the diabolical frame-up of our client, the officers at Amukoko Police Station also misrepresented his age to be 18, knowing that disclosing his actual age would likely raise eyebrows.
“When we were briefed by Quadri’s mother a week ago, after the matter was brought to public attention by Ms. Hassana Nurudeen, the Co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach (@Hausa_girl), we swiftly escalated the case and took necessary steps towards securing his freedom.
“At the Court today, the presiding Magistrate, His Honour, A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.), confirmed that the legal advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins showed that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation of armed robbery against Quadri.
“In his Legal Advice, the DPP recommended the non-prosecution of Quadri. Thus, the presiding Magistrate discharged him and he was accordingly freed.”
While commending the DPP and other for their efforts, he also demanded that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, and the Inspector General of Police, should as a matter of urgency, act on all that were involved in the matter.
He said, “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.”