Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has described the detention of Alabi Quadri, a minor held at the Kirikiri Minimum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos since January, as yet another indication of the shortcomings in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
In an initial statement shared on X on Wednesday, Effiong revealed that he visited the Magistrate Court in the Apapa Magisterial District of Lagos on April 9, 2025, to investigate the details of Quadri’s arrest and continued detention.
He was joined by a colleague from his law firm, Quadri’s mother and relatives, as well as a social activist who first brought the issue to public notice.
“We can confirm that Alabi has been in detention since January. He was abducted by ‘Area Boys’ close to his home while returning from work,” Effiong said.
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Effiong stated that Quadri and his mother believe his situation arose from an old grudge harbored by some local youths, who felt they deserved a portion of a cash gift he received following a meeting with Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate.
“His painful walk to prison can be attributed to the prolonged malice nursed by some self-acclaimed area boys of his locality who felt entitled to a share of the unexpected fortune that came Alabi’s way when he halted and stood in front of the convoy of Mr. Peter Obi during the last electioneering campaign,” Effiong explained.
Effiong explained that the group, upset about being excluded from the gift, abducted Quadri and handed him over to officers at Amukoko Police Station (also known as Pako Police Station), accusing him of participating in street fights. The matter took a serious turn when the police charged him—along with four unknown individuals—with armed robbery.
“It came as a rude shock when the police took him before a Magistrate along with four other individuals who are complete strangers to him, alleging that he conspired with them to commit ‘Armed Robbery’ with cutlasses,” Effiong said.
He said the police claimed the victims were robbed of cash and four mobile phones, amounting to a total value of ₦579,000.
Effiong, after spending nearly two hours speaking with Quadri, expressed his belief in the boy’s innocence.
“Objectively speaking, we all left Kirikiri firmly convinced that this young man is simply another casualty of Nigeria’s flawed criminal justice system,” Effiong stated.
He further emphasized that Quadri is a minor, under the age of 18, yet has already appeared in court three times and is being detained alongside adult co-accused while awaiting legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Effiong vowed to explore every legal option available to ensure the boy’s release.
“We shall provide additional information and the available legal options subsequently. Suffice it to say that we will do all that is legally permissible to secure Alabi’s freedom,” Effiong said.
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