Quadri Alabi, the 17-year-old Lagos resident who became a national sensation after he stood in the front of Mr. Peter Obis’s convoy in the build up to the 2023 presidential election has finally been released from prison.
Quadri breathed fresh air of freedom after human rights activists and lawyer, Inibihe Effiong and his team secured his release an Apapa Magistrate Court in Lagos.
Announcing the release of Quadri, Mr. Effiong in a statement shared on his X handle said, “We are excited to announce that Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old teenager who gained fame during the 2023 elections after he spontaneously jumped and stood in front of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has been freed by the court today, 17th April, 2025.”
The ordeal of the 17 year old started when some touts living around his residence accused him of street fighting and subsequently handed over to the police.
However, despite the claim of street fighting against Quadri, the Nigeria Police charged him for armed robbery on January 26, 2025 alongside strangers that he never met.
He was later remanded in prison custody along with the four adults he was earlier charged with, while his age was deliberately recorded as 18 to make it possible for his incarceration.
His ordeal was uncovered by Ms. Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of the Ray of Hope Prison Outreach who eventually drew public attention to the young man’s ordeal.
Giving insight into the release of Quadri, his lawyer, Inibihe Effiong said, “At the Court today, the presiding Magistrate, His Honour, A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.), confirmed that the legal advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), of the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins showed that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation of armed robbery against Quadri.
“We commend the DPP for standing by the truth in this matter.”