Apapa, Lagos State – Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has raised alarm over the detention of Alabi Quadri, the teenager who garnered public attention in 2023 after standing in front of Peter Obi’s campaign convoy in Lagos.
Effiong, speaking on the matter, revealed that Quadri has been held at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, since January 2025. His revelations came following recent public concern surrounding the boy’s prolonged imprisonment.
In a post shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Effiong detailed his visit to the Lagos Magistrate Court on Thursday, April 9, to investigate the circumstances behind Quadri’s arrest and detention. He was joined by a fellow legal practitioner, Quadri’s mother, and other family members before proceeding to the correctional facility to meet the boy.
Effiong stated: “He was abducted by ‘Area Boys’ close to his home while returning from work.” He went on to explain that the alleged harassment was a result of resentment from individuals in Quadri’s neighborhood who expected a share of money he received after his viral moment with Peter Obi.
“According to Alabi and his mother, his painful walk to prison can be attributed to the prolonged malice nursed by some self-acclaimed area boys of his locality who felt entitled to a share of the unexpected fortune that came Alabi’s way when he halted and stood in front of the convoy of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr @PeterObi during the last electioneering campaign,” Effiong wrote.
He added: “Since he failed to properly ‘settle’ some people, it has been one attack to another.”
Reports indicate that the area boys dragged Quadri to the Amukoko Police Station, accusing him of being involved in local street violence. Subsequently, he was arraigned before a Magistrate alongside four individuals who, according to Effiong, are strangers to him.
“The area boys initially claimed that Alabi was one of the young men who has been involved in street fights. However, it came as a rude shock when the police took him before a Magistrate along with four other individuals who are complete strangers to him, alleging that he conspired with them to commit ‘Armed Robbery’ with cutlasses,” Effiong said.
The charge alleges that Quadri and others robbed two people of N579,000 worth of cash and phones. Despite the gravity of the accusation, Effiong maintained that there’s strong reason to believe Quadri is being wrongly held.
“Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.”
He emphasized Quadri’s age, noting: “The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a minor. He is less than 18 years.”
Although Quadri has appeared in court three times, he remains in custody alongside adults, awaiting legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“We shall provide additional information and the available legal options subsequently. Suffice it to say that we will do all that is legally permissible to secure Alabi’s freedom,” Effiong said.
Peter Obi Responds to Detained Supporter’s Ordeal
Peter Obi, whose campaign convoy Quadri had confronted during the 2023 elections, has responded to the news of the teenager’s continued detention.
Taking to X, Obi wrote: “After delivering my speech at the Commonwealth event in London today, I was made aware of the predicament of a young boy named Quadri Yusuf Alabi, who has been detained for over three months without trial, appeared in court for the first time in March, and still remains held in custody.”
He continued: “I have contacted a lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong @InibeheEffiong, who, luckily, has been actively working to intensify his release.”
Obi called on law enforcement to act within legal boundaries: “I sincerely appeal to the police and other agents of the government to always operate within the law and the rules and stop the weaponizing citizens, especially our youths, who need our care and love to unleash their talents and energy towards building a new Nigeria that is possible. -PO”
