Alabi Quadri, Boy From Viral Obi Photo, Released After Wrongful Detention—Lawyer Demands ₦100m
Alabi Quadri, the teenager whose image captured the nation’s attention during the 2023 presidential campaign season in Nigeria, has been released from prison following three months of wrongful imprisonment.
Quadri gained public recognition after a photo of him appearing near Peter Obi’s campaign motorcade went viral. But what began as a moment of fame quickly spiralled into a nightmare. According to Quadri’s lead counsel, Inibehe Effiong, the teenage boy has been subjected to a series of threats and intimidation by area boys who insist that part of the money donated to him during his time of fame by well-wishers must be used to settle them.
In January, the 17-year-old was abducted by area boys on his way home from work and dragged to the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters (Pako Police Station) in Lagos State, where they claimed he was involved in a street fight. When he was charged to court by the police, robbery was among the charges levelled against him.
However, on Thursday, April 17, Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi set Quadri free based on legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who concluded that there was no evidence linking the teenager to the armed robbery charges brought against him.
Call for Justice and Accountability
Speaking after the court ruling, Effiong condemned the actions of the police and demanded sweeping disciplinary measures — starting with the removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Amukoko Police Station.
“We commend the DPP for standing by the truth in this matter,” Effiong said. “But we are demanding more. The DPO of Amukoko, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and all officers involved in this heinous frame-up must face an orderly room trial.”
Effiong is also demanding N100 million in compensation from the police for what he called a “sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” that led to Quadri’s unjust detention. He further called for a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force.
“If these demands are not met immediately, we will initiate legal proceedings to seek redress,” he warned.
