Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has described the case of Alabi Quadri, a minor detained at the Kirikiri Minimum Security Custodial Centre in Lagos since January, as another example of the failings of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
In a statement released on Wednesday his X handle, Effiong disclosed that he visited the Magistrate Court of Lagos, Apapa Magisterial District, on April 9, 2025, to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Quadri’s arrest and detention.
The lawyer was accompanied by a colleague from his law firm, Quadri’s mother and family members, and a social activist who brought the case to public attention.
“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.
According to Effiong, both Quadri and his mother believe his ordeal stemmed from a long-standing grudge held by local youths who felt entitled to a share of a monetary gift he received after an encounter with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
“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.”
“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.
According to him, the police alleged that the victims were robbed of money and four mobile phones, with a total value of ₦579,000.
Effiong, who spent about two hours interviewing Quadri, stated that he was convinced the boy is innocent.
“Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system,” he said.
Effiong also stressed that Quadri is a minor, under 18 years old, yet has appeared in court three times and is being held with adult co-defendants, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He promised to pursue all available legal avenues to secure the boy’s release.