For Advert, Event Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gmail.com
Visit Citizen NewsNG To Read More Latest And Interesting News Across Nigeria And The World

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has disclosed that over N10 million has been raised in just four days for 17-year-old Quadri Alabi, who was allegedly wrongfully arrested and prosecuted by the Lagos State Police Command.

Effiong, who appeared alongside Quadri during a live interview on Channels Television on Monday, noted that the boy’s ordeal was part of a corrupt and oppressive scheme allegedly involving officers of the Amukoko Police Division and local area boys.

According to the lawyer, the police colluded with thugs to frame Alabi for crimes he did not commit.

He said, “The boy sitting next to me, Quadri Alabi, as you know, went viral in 2023 during one of Peter Obi’s campaign tours. He spontaneously jumped in front of the convoy, raised his hand, and the photo went viral. That moment changed his life.”

The viral photo brought Alabi public attention and financial support, which, according to Effiong, soon attracted dangerous elements.

“Local area boys began extorting him, saying he hadn’t ‘settled’ them. They even told his mother to buy a cow, cook rice, and throw a feast for the community. When she refused, the threats continued,” he said.

Effiong alleged that harassment intensified earlier this year when Alabi was arrested in January while returning home from work.

“He was arrested by area boys known as Leggy and Baba Waris. They claimed he ignored them despite the money he had received from Peter Obi and handed him over to the police”, he said.

Effiong stated further that the police then subjected Alabi to a week-long illegal detention and charged him alongside four adult men he had never met.

“They accused him of armed robbery said to have occurred on January 22 at 10 p.m. No identification parade was conducted, and there was no evidence linking him to the crime,” he said.

He added that the officers had also falsified Alabi’s age in court documents to present him as an adult.

“The police falsely claimed he was 18 in court documents. If they had said he was 17, the court would have treated the matter differently possibly not even remanding him in a regular prison”, he added.

Alabi was eventually discharged by Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi following a legal review and advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins.

Effiong also alleged that the police subjected the teenager to an internal trial process, calling it “an evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” orchestrated by some personnel of the Amukoko Division in partnership with rogue area boys.

Sharing his own account, Alabi recalled, “I was just at the entrance of my house when the police came and arrested me. The area boys pointed me out. At the station, I was the youngest there. I was locked up with older men. They asked me what I did, and I said nothing.”

He also said that before handing him over to the police, the area boys had taken his phone and money.

Effiong praised Nigerians for their overwhelming support.

“We’ve raised over N10 million in just four days for Quadri. The goal is to relocate him from Amukoko and secure a source of income for his mother, who is a petty trader.

“This shows the strength of the Nigerian spirit”, he said.

For Advert, Event Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gmail.com
Visit Citizen NewsNG To Read More Latest And Interesting News Across Nigeria And The World