A 15-year-old boy, Alabi Quadri, has been held at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for over three months without trial.
Alabi gained national attention in 2023 when he was photographed standing in front of Obi’s convoy during a campaign rally in Lagos, a moment that went viral.
He was allegedly stopped by local youths, who handed him over to the police, claiming he was a notorious fighter and thief.
However, Alabi maintained his innocence, stating he recognised the youths who accused him.
The accusers reportedly held a grudge against Alabi’s family for not providing them with “settlement” money after he received cash gifts from Obi and socialite Cubana Chief Priest for his enthusiastic display at the rally.
Alabi has been charged with fighting and stealing. He made his first court appearance on March 27, with the next hearing scheduled for April 28.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, called for justice, expressing deep concern over the boy’s prolonged detention and urged authorities to uphold the rule of law
His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong in a statement said: “We were at the Magistrate Court of Lagos, Apapa Magisterial District, today the 9th day of April, 2025 to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the arrest, detention and subsequent remand of Alabi Quadri at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.
“After spending several hours at the court, I was accompanied by a colleague from our law firm, Alabi’s mother and other family members and relatives to visit Alabi at the custodial centre. Also in attendance was the social activist who brought the case to public attention.
“Given the interest expressed by members of the public, it is necessary to make this preliminary statement. 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. According to Alabi and his mother, 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 the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi during the last electioneering campaign.
“Since he failed to properly “settle” some people, it has been one attack to another. After abducting Alabi, the same area boys who have been threatening to deal with him for not sharing the money he was gifted dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (Pako Police Station) where he was detained.
“The area boys initially claimed that Alabi was one of the young men who has been involved in street fights. However, 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.
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“The Police in the charge sheet alleged that the alleged two victims were robbed of money and four mobile phones. The value of both the physical cash and four phones is N579,000 only.
“I spent about two hours interviewing Alabi about the veracity of the charges brought by the police. Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a Minor. He is less than 18 years. Currently, Alabi has appeared before the Magistrate on three occasions.
“The court remanded him along with the four strange individuals who are all adults at the custodial centre pending Legal Advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“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. Thank you for your kind attention.”