Lagos, Nigeria – Amid growing concerns over the state of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, a 17-year-old boy, Alabi Quadri, remains behind bars at the Kirikiri Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Lagos, nearly four months after his arrest—despite questionable charges and no prior criminal record.
In a fact-finding mission on April 9, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, known for his long-standing advocacy for justice and people’s rights, joined by legal colleagues, family members, and a social activist, visited the Apapa Magistrate Court and later the custodial centre to investigate the circumstances surrounding Alabi’s continued detention. Effiong has built a reputation for standing up against injustice and fighting for the rights of the oppressed
Alabi’s ordeal, according to firsthand accounts, began when he was forcefully taken by local street gangs—commonly referred to as “area boys”—near his home while returning from work. The teenager was subsequently handed over to police at Amukoko (Pako) Station under allegations that he had been involved in street fighting.
The tension between Alabi and the local group reportedly stems from an incident during the 2023 election campaign, where he gained brief public attention after interacting with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. This moment, which brought him a modest financial gift, allegedly led to resentment from local individuals who felt entitled to a share.
What followed, Effiong says, is a troubling example of systemic failure. Despite lacking any prior association with the four adults he was arrested alongside, Alabi was charged with conspiracy and armed robbery involving cutlasses. The police alleged that two victims were robbed of cash and four mobile phones, valued at N579,000.
Following three court appearances, the minor remains remanded alongside adult suspects at Kirikiri, awaiting legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Effiong, who personally interviewed Alabi for over two hours, expressed strong doubts about the credibility of the charges. “The inconsistencies in the case and the background of this arrest strongly indicate that Alabi may be a victim—not a criminal,” he stated.
Raising additional alarm, Effiong emphasized that Alabi is legally a minor, and detaining him with adult suspects violates his rights under Nigerian and international law.
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As pressure mounts for authorities to review the case, legal representatives say they are committed to exhausting all available legal remedies to ensure the teenager’s release. The situation has now become a test case for advocates of justice reform in Nigeria, as the spotlight turns to how the state will handle a case that many believe never should have gone to court in the first place.
