LAGOS – On April 9, 2025, a legal team led by Lawyer Activist Inibehe Effiong visited the Magistrate Court in Apapa, Lagos, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of Alabi Quadri, a minor currently held at the Minimum-Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri. Accompanied by Alabi’s mother, relatives, and a social activist, the team later met with the detainee to assess his case, which has sparked public concern.
Alabi, under 18, has been in custody since January 2025 following an alleged abduction by local “area boys” near his home. According to statements from Alabi and his family, his troubles stem from a financial gift he received after encountering the convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 election campaign. Local individuals, reportedly angered by his refusal to share the funds, escalated tensions through repeated attacks.
Alabi, under 18, has been in custody since January 2025 following an alleged abduction by local “area boys” near his home. According to statements from Alabi and his family, his troubles stem from a financial gift he received after encountering the convoy of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 election campaign. Local individuals, reportedly angered by his refusal to share the funds, escalated tensions through repeated attacks.
The situation worsened when Alabi was taken to Amukoko Police Station, initially accused of involvement in street fights. Police later charged him with armed robbery alongside four adult strangers, alleging the group used cutlasses to steal N579,000 in cash and four mobile phones. Alabi has appeared before a magistrate three times, with the court remanding him pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
After a two-hour interview at Kirikiri, the legal team concluded that Alabi’s case highlights systemic issues in Nigeria’s criminal justice framework, particularly the treatment of minors and the reliability of police investigations. Stakeholders in law enforcement, judicial oversight, and community governance are urged to examine how such cases reflect broader challenges, including local entitlement disputes and procedural flaws.
The legal team pledged to pursue all permissible options to secure Alabi’s release, with further updates to follow. The case underscores the need for reforms to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure equitable justice delivery.
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