- Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, solicited donations for the relocation and rehabilitation of Quadri Alabi, the boy who stood in front of Peter Obi's convoy in 2023
- Alabi was released from Kiri Kiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, after nearly three months incarceration on trumped up charges of armed robbery
- Effiong demanded disciplinary action against the Amukoko Divisional Police Officer and Investigating Police Officer and a N100 million compensation to Alabi
Nigerian human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, is soliciting donations for the relocation and rehabilitation of Quadri Alabi, the teen boy who went viral in 2023 for standing in front of the campaign convoy the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
The donation followed the release of Alabi from the Kiri Kiri Correctional Centre in Lagos on Thursday, April 17 after being held there for nearly three months on trumped up charges of armed robbery.
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 to support 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,” Effiong announced in a post on X on Thursday.
Effiong said the “diabolic frame-up” of the boy was allegedly orchestrated by local thugs known in the Amukoko area as Lege and Baba Waris.
The thugs reportedly abducted Alabi near his home and handed him over to the police, accusing him of being involved in a street fight.
According to Effiong, the boy had faced threats from the thugs in the area since 2023 for not sharing the donations he received from Peter Obi’s supporters after he went viral.
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.”
Lawyer solicits donation for Alabi’s relocation, rehabilitation over threats to life
In another post on X after Alabi was released to him and reunited with his family, Effiong asked well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to donate towards the relocation and rehabilitation of Alabi.
He said that Alabi and his family’s relocation from the Amukoko area of Lagos has become necessary following several threats to their lives by the thugs in the area for not sharing the donations he received in 2023, heightened by his discharge from prison.
The lawyer added that the donations would also go into rehabilitating Alabi so that he is useful to the society, adding that he expressed desire to go to school or acquire a skill.
“Following my discussion with the family of Quadri Alabi and at their request, I hereby appeal to all conscientious organisations, individuals, and corporate entities to offer immediate financial assistance to Quadri to enable him and his family relocate from their present community and home.
“Amukoko is no longer safe for them. Those behind his travails can easily target him or his family members again.
“This appeal has become imperative due to active threats to Quadri and his family. As at this morning, they still received threats.
“Upon the release of Quadri at the court, it became apparent that it is no longer safe for them to return to their home. Due to the urgency and severity of the situation, we have paid for and lodged them in a hotel for tonight.
“In addition to the necessity of relocation, Quadri’s mother who is a ‘petty trader,’ has pleaded with Nigerians to assist her financially to enable her cater for herself and her children. Her husband (Quadri’s father) is deceased.
“Finally, we need to rehabilitate Quadri for him to be useful to himself and the society. He has expressed a desire to go to school. He is also open to acquiring a skill,” Effiong tweeted.
Lawyer demands N100 million compensation, disciplinary action against DPO, IPO
Alabi’s case drew public attention earlier this month after being spotlighted by Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of the Ray of Hope Prison Outreach.
Effiong also called for disciplinary action against officers at the Amukoko Police Station, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Investigating Police Officer (IPO).
He also demanded a public apology and N100 million in compensation for what he described as a gross miscarriage of justice.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force,” Effiong said.
#EndBadGovernance Protests: Federal Government drops treason charges against minors
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government dropped the treason charges against minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests held nationwide.
The case against the protesters was officially discontinued on Tuesday, with Attorney-General Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, notifying the Federal High Court in Abuja after taking over the case on behalf of the Federal Government.
