Angel Network News (ANN) is pleased to report the release of 17-year-old Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the young boy whose act of courage during the 2023 general elections captured national attention when he stood boldly before the convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Quadri was discharged today by a Magistrate Court in Lagos after months of wrongful incarceration at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, following a trumped-up charge of armed robbery orchestrated by officers of the Lagos State Police Command.
According to his legal counsel, prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Quadri was abducted on January 26, 2025, by two notorious local enforcers, identified as Lege and Baba Waris, near his home in Amukoko, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. The teenager was allegedly targeted due to envy and resentment among area boys who had long harassed him for not sharing donations he received after his viral moment during the elections.
His family recounted that even the local traditional leader (Baale) pressured them to appease the area boys with gifts, including a cow and rice for the community — a demand they could not fulfill.
After his abduction, Quadri was dumped at Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters (popularly known as Pako Police Station), where officers initially accused him of street fighting. Shockingly, the police later fabricated a charge of armed robbery, misrepresented his age as 18 to avoid juvenile protections, and linked him to four unknown adults with whom he had no connection.
Effiong noted that it wasn’t until the case was brought to public attention by Ms. Hassana Nurudeen, Co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, that swift legal intervention was initiated. Upon review of the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins, issued a legal advisory stating there was no evidence linking Quadri to any criminal activity.
Presiding Magistrate A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.) accepted the DPP’s recommendation and accordingly discharged Quadri from custody.
Effiong has since called for the removal and investigation of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Amukoko Police Station and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Inspector Odigbe Samuel, accusing them of colluding with local thugs to frame the teenager. He also demanded a public apology and compensation of N100 million from the Nigeria Police Force.
“This is a painful example of the rot in the Nigeria Police Force and the broader criminal justice system,” Effiong said. “Quadri’s case is not an isolated incident. Many other innocent Nigerians remain behind bars, victims of corruption and impunity.”
