The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, has made it clear that age will not shield anyone from the law, as long as they are considered legally accountable. He pointed out that according to a written statement made by Quadri Alabi, the young man at the center of a recent legal case, he is 18 years old—not 17, as many have claimed.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a current affairs program on Channels Television, Moshood responded to questions surrounding Alabi’s age and the nature of his detention. The case has drawn public attention since Alabi was released from the Kirikiri Correctional Facility by a magistrate court in Apapa, following the dismissal of conspiracy and armed robbery charges against him.
Alabi first gained national attention during the 2023 general elections when he stood in front of the convoy of presidential candidate Peter Obi. His bold act turned him into a symbol of youth activism for some, but recent legal issues have shifted public perception and brought up questions about justice and age classification.
The police commissioner noted, “Nothing is considered an offense unless it is clearly defined by law. And for any offense, there are procedures in place for handling offenders, whether they are minors or adults. The difference lies in how they are processed, not whether they are held accountable.”
Moshood stated that Alabi’s handwritten statement, provided during the initial police investigation at Amukoko Police Station, clearly listed his age as 18. “I personally checked the record,” he said, reinforcing the claim that the police relied on information directly from the suspect.
He also pointed out that many serious offenses like armed robbery and cultism involve young people who fall within Alabi’s age group. “The fear these so-called minors create in the community is real. But even then, we must operate strictly within the law,” he noted.
In response to reports that Alabi’s legal counsel, Inibehe Effiong, submitted documents suggesting he is underage, Moshood said such documents—including affidavits or birth certificates—would need to be carefully verified. “The best person to confirm someone’s age is their parent,” he added, warning that modern technology can make it easy to forge documents.
He also clarified the legal process, stating that the trial itself has not yet started. “We only went to court for a remand order based on the boy’s statement. The trial hasn’t started yet. Once it does, he’ll be arraigned and expected to take his plea,” Moshood explained.
According to the commissioner, the police are waiting for legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), which will determine the next steps. Whether Alabi was formally acquitted, granted bail, or discharged is still unclear, pending the outcome of the DPP’s review.
He concluded by saying that the police are simply following procedure and working based on the information they have. “If you’re 18 or claim to be 18, you’ll be treated accordingly,” he said.
