April 17, (THEWILL) – A Magistrate Court in Apapa, Lagos, has freed Quadri Yusuf Alabi, a 17-year-old boy detained in January, on a trumped-up charge of armed robbery.
Qudri became prominent after standing in front of the convoy of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the party’s 2023 presidential campaign rally in Lagos.
The teenager had been remanded at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri since January 26, 2025, following what his legal team described as a “diabolical frame-up” by the police at Amukoko Divisional Headquarters.
His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said in a post on social media that Quadri was abducted by two known area boys identified as Lege and Baba Waris, who had previously harassed him over donations he received during the 2023 election season.
“Quadri was returning from work when he was grabbed by these individuals, who have repeatedly threatened him for not sharing financial gifts he received. His family was even pressured by the Baale (community leader) to appease the area boys with a cow, rice, and a feast”, he explained.
Inibehe said that Quadri, who was initially accused of involvement in a street fight, was charged with armed robbery by the police.
“Shockingly, he was grouped with four adult suspects with no known ties to him. The police also falsely listed his age as 18 to avoid the scrutiny that comes with juvenile cases”, he added.
However, Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi discharged Quadri after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice found no evidence to support the allegations against him. In his legal advice, the DPP recommended the non-prosecution of Quadri and another defendant, one Muiz Animashaun.
Speaking with newsmen after the court’s sitting, Inibehe commended the DPP for standing by the truth. He called for an orderly room trial of the DPO of Amukoko Divisional Headquarters, the IPO, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and other officers who participated in what he called the “evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme of framing up a teenager for armed robbery at the behest of rogue ‘Area Boys”.
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