Alabi Quadri, a young Nigerian known for his courageous stand during the 2023 general elections, has been discharged by the Apapa Magistrate Court in Lagos. The court found him not guilty of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery, stating that he had no case to answer.
Quadri, who had spent several months in Kirikiri Prison, was presented in court on April 17, 2025. His trial was expedited following a joint request from human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to move the hearing date forward.
His recognition came after a viral video depicted him, as a teenager, bravely facing the campaign convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. This act resonated with many Nigerians, embodying youthful defiance during a politically charged atmosphere.
According to reports, Quadri’s recent troubles stemmed from local thugs, referred to as ‘area boys,’ who were reportedly envious of the attention and support he received after his viral moment. Effiong indicated that Alabi’s troubling situation was not due to any significant crime but was instead influenced by the lingering resentment of certain self-proclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his community. These individuals reportedly felt entitled to the attention and goodwill—along with financial support—that Alabi received following his viral moment during the 2023 presidential campaign.
He was produced in court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, by the Nigerian Correctional Service at the Apapa Magistrate Court.
Quadri’s case was initially scheduled for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
The young man became a symbol of courage when a viral video showed him, then a teenager, boldly standing in front of Peter Obi’s campaign convoy. This moment resonated with many Nigerians as a representation of youthful defiance and hope amid a tumultuous election season.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos with Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, described Alabi’s experience in Kirikiri prison as “heartbreaking,” asserting that it appeared to be the result of a vendetta by local thugs who believed they deserved a share of the financial support directed at Alabi after his viral fame.
According to Effiong, Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by these area boys, who had previously threatened him. They reportedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (also known as Pako Police Station), where he was accused of involvement in street fights.
Alabi was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court alongside four individuals, whom he claimed to be complete strangers, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed with cutlasses. The charge sheet stated that the supposed victims were robbed of N579,000, which included cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong highlighted that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January while awaiting legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a turn of events, Alabi was kidnapped in January while returning home and taken to a police station, where he faced unfounded allegations of street fighting. He was later wrongfully arraigned with others on charges related to robbery, which he denied.
Despite being a minor, Quadri had been held with adults in Kirikiri since January, pending further legal advice from the DPP. With the court’s recent ruling, he has been discharged and can now move forward from this troubling chapter.