Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained nationwide attention during the 2023 presidential election for standing in front of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, has been released from detention after spending nearly three months at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
A Magistrate Court in Apapa discharged Alabi on Thursday, April 17, 2025, following legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which found no evidence to support the armed robbery charge filed against him.
Alabi’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, announced the development on social media, describing the teenager’s ordeal as a “diabolical frame-up” orchestrated by local thugs identified as Lege and Baba Waris in the Amukoko area of Lagos.
“We are excited to announce that Quadri Yusuf Alabi… has been freed by the court today,” Effiong posted on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Effiong, Alabi was abducted by the said thugs and handed over to police, falsely accused of participating in a street fight.
The young man had reportedly been targeted since 2023, following donations he received from Obi’s supporters after his symbolic act of standing before the presidential convoy.
Effiong further revealed that community leaders had pressured Alabi’s family to appease the area by buying a cow and hosting a feast, underscoring the harassment they faced.
Despite these allegations, Alabi was arraigned on January 26 for armed robbery, remanded with four adult strangers, and had his age misrecorded as 18—denying him juvenile protections.
Presiding Magistrate A.O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.) confirmed that the DPP’s legal advice, issued by Dr. Babajide Martins, recommended non-prosecution, having found no credible evidence to substantiate the robbery charge.
“The presiding Magistrate discharged him and he was accordingly freed. We commend the DPP for standing by the truth in this matter,” said Effiong.
Following the ruling, Effiong called for disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer of Amukoko Police Station, the Investigating Police Officer, and others involved in what he described as a gross miscarriage of justice.
He also demanded a ₦100 million compensation and public apology from the police.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong stated.
The case had sparked public concern earlier this month after being spotlighted by Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach.
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