Quadri Alabi, the young boy who stood in front of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 election campaign, has finally regained his freedom after nearly three months behind bars at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The teenager’s release came on Thursday, April 17, following a decision by the Magistrate Court in Apapa to discharge the case against him. This came after the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, advised that there was no valid evidence to support the armed robbery charges filed against him.
Alabi’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, announced the news via a post on X, formerly Twitter. “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,” he wrote.
Effiong explained that Alabi’s arrest was based on false accusations made by two known thugs in the Amukoko area, identified as Lege and Baba Waris. The duo allegedly abducted Alabi and accused him of being part of a street fight. He was later handed over to the police, who charged him with armed robbery.
According to Effiong, Alabi had faced threats from the same individuals since 2023, following donations he received from well-wishers supporting Peter Obi. His family was also pressured by some community leaders to organize a feast and buy a cow as a way of “settling” the community.
When the case reached court, Magistrate A.O. Olorunfemi said the legal advice from the DPP made it clear that the allegations could not be proven and recommended that Alabi should not be prosecuted. He was then formally discharged and released.
The teenager had earlier been arraigned by the police on January 26 and wrongly claimed to be 18 years old, even though he was 17 at the time. He was held along with four unknown adults.
Effiong described the ordeal as a tragic example of corruption and abuse of power within the police. He also demanded that disciplinary measures be taken against officers at the Amukoko Police Station, including the Divisional Police Officer and the Investigating Police Officer.
He is also asking for a public apology and N100 million in compensation for Alabi, stating, “Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force.”
