Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the courageous 17-year-old who stood in front of Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 elections, has finally regained his freedom after spending months unjustly locked up in Kirikiri Prison on a baseless armed robbery charge.
On Wednesday, the Magistrate Court in Apapa, Lagos, discharged Quadri following legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which found no evidence against him.
His arrest, described by his legal team as a “diabolical frame-up,” began on January 26, 2025, when he was picked up by police at the Amukoko Divisional Headquarters. Quadri had reportedly been targeted by two area boys, Lege and Baba Waris, who harassed him for not sharing money he received after going viral in 2023.
According to his lawyer, renowned human rights advocate Inibehe Effiong, these boys had threatened Quadri multiple times and even pressured his family through the local Baale (community leader) to offer a peace settlement—cow, rice, and a party.
Things escalated when the police arrested him and bundled him into court alongside four adults he had never met, falsely listing him as 18 years old to dodge juvenile case scrutiny.
The turning point came when Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, brought the case to light. Effiong’s team acted swiftly, pushing for justice. Upon review, the court accepted the DPP’s advice and officially discharged Quadri.
Now back home, Quadri’s release has reignited public outrage over police abuse, especially among Nigerian youth. Effiong has demanded that the DPO of Amukoko, the investigating officer (Inspector Odigbe Samuel), and others involved in the case be removed and investigated.
He’s also calling for a ₦100 million compensation and a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force, warning of legal action if justice isn’t served.
“Quadri’s ordeal shows just how broken and corrupt our justice system has become,” Effiong said. “There are many more innocent people like him suffering in silence behind bars.”
As the dust settles, Quadri’s story is now a rallying cry for reform—an urgent call for justice, accountability, and protection of innocent lives in Nigeria.
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