Quadri Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained attention during the 2023 presidential election for standing in front of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, has been released after nearly three months in detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Alabi was discharged on Thursday by a Magistrate Court in Apapa, following legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which found no evidence supporting the armed robbery charge brought against him.
“We are excited to announce that Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old teenager who gained fame during the 2023 elections after he spontaneously jumped and stood in front of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has been freed by the court today, 17th April, 2025,” his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, wrote on X.
Effiong described the arrest and detention as a “diabolical frame-up” allegedly orchestrated by local thugs, Lege and Baba Waris, who he said had abducted Alabi and falsely accused him of involvement in a street fight. The lawyer said the teen had been under threat since 2023 due to donations he received from Obi supporters, and that the family was pressured to buy a cow and host a feast to appease community leaders.
Effiong added: “At the Court today, the presiding Magistrate, His Honour, A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.), confirmed that the legal advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins showed that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation of armed robbery against Quadri.”
“In his Legal Advice, the DPP recommended the non-prosecution of Quadri. Thus, the presiding Magistrate discharged him and he was accordingly freed. We commend the DPP for standing by the truth in this matter.”
Alabi had been arraigned on January 26 and remanded alongside four adult strangers, while his age was wrongly recorded as 18.
The case gained renewed public attention after being spotlighted by Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach. Following the court’s decision, Effiong called for disciplinary actions against the police officers involved and demanded N100 million in compensation and a public apology.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong said.
