Seventeen-year-old Quadri Yusuf Alabi, known for his brave stance during the 2023 elections when he stood in front of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, has regained his freedom after spending months in wrongful detention on a fabricated armed robbery charge.
A Magistrate Court in Apapa, Lagos, discharged Quadri on Wednesday following a legal review by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who found no evidence to justify the allegations against him.
Quadri had been held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri since January 26, 2025.
His legal team described the case as a “diabolical frame-up” orchestrated by officers at the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to his lawyer, human rights advocate Inibehe Effiong, Quadri was seized by two notorious individuals in his neighborhood, identified as Lege and Baba Waris.
These men had previously harassed him over donations he received during the 2023 election season.
“Quadri was returning from work when he was accosted by these area boys who had repeatedly threatened him for not sharing the financial gifts he received,” Effiong wrote on Facebook.
“His family was even coerced by the local Baale to offer a cow, bags of rice, and a feast to appease them.”
Initially accused of participating in a street fight, the allegations were soon escalated to armed robbery.
The police grouped him with four adult suspects he had no connection to and falsely listed his age as 18, possibly to avoid the protections granted to minors.
Effiong’s legal team took up the case last week after Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, brought it to public attention.
Following swift legal steps, the court reviewed the DPP’s legal advice and found no basis for prosecution.
Magistrate A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.) discharged Quadri, finally bringing relief to his family and supporters.
Effiong has since called for the dismissal and disciplinary investigation of the Divisional Police Officer at Amukoko, the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and others involved.
He is also demanding a public apology and ₦100 million in compensation from the Nigeria Police Force, warning that legal action will follow if his demands are not met.
“Quadri’s ordeal exposes the deep corruption, unchecked abuse of power, and systemic failures within the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong stated.
“There are countless others like him suffering in silence due to a broken justice system.”
As Quadri reunites with his family, his story has reignited national outrage over police misconduct and renewed calls for urgent reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.