By Inibehe Effiong
On April 9, 2025, we were present at the Magistrate Court of Lagos, Apapa Magisterial District, to gather facts surrounding the troubling arrest, detention, and ongoing remand of Alabi Quadri at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos.
After several hours at the court, I was joined by a colleague from our law firm, Alabi’s mother, other family members, and the social activist who first brought this case to public light. Together, we visited Alabi at the custodial centre to better understand his ordeal.
Given the overwhelming interest from members of the public, it is necessary to make this preliminary statement.
We can confirm that Alabi has been in detention since January.
According to both Alabi and his mother, the chain of events began when he was abducted by self-styled “area boys” near his home while returning from work. This was not a random act. His so-called “offense”? Becoming a target of envy and resentment after he gained brief public attention during the 2023 electioneering campaign—when he boldly stood in front of the convoy of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Following this public act, some in his community believed Alabi had received money and felt entitled to a share. When he refused to “settle” them, a pattern of harassment began.
One day, the same individuals abducted him and dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (Pako Police Station), where he was detained. They initially accused him of participating in local street fights. However, what followed was even more disturbing.
In a shocking twist, the police brought Alabi before a Magistrate, grouped with four total strangers, and charged them with conspiracy and armed robbery, allegedly involving the use of cutlasses. According to the charge sheet, the supposed victims were robbed of money and four mobile phones, valued at a total of ₦579,000.
I spent over two hours speaking with Alabi inside the walls of Kirikiri. Objectively, and based on the information we have, this young man appears to be yet another victim of Nigeria’s deeply flawed criminal justice system.
Perhaps most heartbreaking of all: Alabi is a minor—he is under 18 years old.
Despite this, he has already appeared in court three times, and is currently remanded alongside four adult co-defendants, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
This should not be happening.
We will continue to explore all available legal options to secure Alabi’s freedom and restore justice to his name.
We thank the public for their continued interest and support in this matter. Further updates will be provided as we proceed.
Inibehe Effiong
Legal Practitioner & Human Rights Advocate
