The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has pledged to support Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained national attention during the general elections for bravely standing in front of Obi’s convoy.
Quadri was recently released from the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Lagos State after spending months in detention over alleged crime of armed robbery.
The development was announced on Friday night by human rights activist and Quadri’s lawyer, Mr. Inibehe Effiong.
According to Effiong, Obi has committed to supporting the teenager’s educational and vocational aspirations.
“We had a very engaging and productive meeting with Mr. Peter Obi in Lagos today to discuss the case of Quadri Alabi.
“He made a commitment to help Quadri to get the necessary training or education that he desires and deserves,” Effiong stated on X.
Quadri was discharged on Thursday by Magistrate A. O. Olorunfemi of the Apapa Magistrate Court. The ruling followed legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, who found no evidence linking him to the alleged crime of armed robbery.
The teenager was reportedly abducted near his home in the Amukoko area of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government by two known street thugs, Lege and Baba Waris, and taken to the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters.
Quadri had been a target of harassment from area boys who resented the goodwill and donations he received following his viral encounter with Obi’s convoy. His family was allegedly pressured by community leaders, including the local Baale, to appease the thugs with gifts such as a cow and bags of rice.
In a controversial move, the police allegedly included Quadri’s name in a case with four unidentified adult suspects and misrepresented his age as 18 in an apparent effort to justify the charges.
Public awareness of Quadri’s ordeal grew after Ms. Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, raised the alarm, prompting intensified legal efforts for his release.
During Thursday’s court hearing, the magistrate cited the DPP’s legal advice, which explicitly recommended against prosecuting Quadri due to insufficient evidence.
His lawyer is now demanding a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force, as well as N100m in compensation for Quadri’s unlawful arrest and detention.
Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign was launched on Thursday to help Quadri and his family relocate to a safer environment and support his rehabilitation, education, and skill development. At least N3m was reportedly raised within two hours.
Obi Pledges To Help 17-Year-Old Supporter Freed From Kirikiri Prison is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler