Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian boy who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, is set to appear in court on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong confirmed the development in a statement shared on Wednesday, noting that the Nigerian Correctional Service will produce Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9), by 9 a.m.
“I am pleased to share that Quadri Alabi is going to be produced by the authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service before the Court tomorrow by 9 a.m.,” Effiong said.
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, Effiong revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court has granted the application.
“We wrote to the Court to vary the date and to fix the case for tomorrow, Thursday, 17th April. The DPP equally made the same application. I am delighted to confirm that the variation application has been granted and hearing date has been varied and brought forward as prayed,” Effiong added.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing in front of Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
Effiong emphasised the importance of standing by young Nigerians like Quadri, who have come to embody the struggles and aspirations of the country’s youth.
“We will be with Quadri and his family at the Apapa Magistrate Court,” Effiong said, reiterating his commitment to ensuring that justice prevails. “History will vindicate the just.”
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill—including financial support—that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
“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,” Effiong said in a statement issued after the court visit.
“These individuals felt entitled to a share of the unexpected fortune that came Alabi’s way after his encounter with Mr. Peter Obi.”
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals—said to be complete strangers to him—on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
“It came as a rude shock when the police arraigned him with strangers,” Effiong said. “We spent over two hours with him at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri. Speaking objectively, we left with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s broken criminal justice system.”
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“The remand of a minor with adults in a custodial centre raises serious legal and human rights concerns,” Effiong said, adding that his legal team was preparing to explore every lawful avenue to secure Alabi’s release.
“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,” Effiong added.
Leave a Reply