…PROMISE TO FOOT HIS EDUCATION
It was a huge relief on Friday for a 17-year-old Quadri Yusuf Alabi as the Presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi in the 2023 General elections, met with him on his release, after he was unduly incarcerated for alleged armed robbery offence.
The young boy was reputed to be have identified with the “Obidient Movement” that supported Peter Obi during the electioneering campaign, jumped and stood in front of his convoy to show solidarity and support for Peter Obi presidential campaign.
Following his release on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate met with the boy to empathize with him for the rude and trampled allegation against him.
According to Obi, who met him in company of the lawyer and mother to the 17 years old Quadri, said, “Today,I had the opportunity to meet with Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the young boy whose story moved us all. After enduring unjust and illegal incarceration, he is finally free, and I am very grateful to the lawyers led by @inibeheeffiong, who fought for his release and also @DeleFarotim and Ms Hassana Nurudeen, whose constant intervention was instrumental in securing justice for the young lad.
“I listened to Quadri today, and one thing stood out clearly: his unwavering desire for education. Despite all he has been through, his only dream is to return to school and complete his education and I will make sure he gets it.
“His determination is not just inspiring; it is a call to action, and I am committed to ensuring that he gets the education he desires and deserves.
“In addition, we must not stop at his release. Those responsible for his illegal incarceration must be held accountable. As we strive to build a Nigeria where fairness and integrity prevail, we cannot afford to allow such acts of criminality to go unpunished.
“I, once again, thank the lawyers and everyone who stood and remained unrelenting for justice.
“Together, we will build a Nigeria where education, freedom, rule of law, equity and justice, care and protection of the less privileged in our midst will stand as the foundation of our democracy.”
Peter Obi reiterated that “A new Nigeria is Possible.
According to Barrister Inibehe Effiong Esq, (Lead Counsel), their client, Quadri was abducted by two ‘Area Boys’ who are notoriously known in the community as Lege and Baba Waris close to his family residence at Amukoko, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area and dumped at the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters (Pako Police Station) in Lagos State.
Quadri was said to have been returning from work when he was grabbed by the duo, who along with other jealous and entitled Area Boys in the community, have been harassing him and threatening to deal with him since 2023 for not giving them ‘their share’ of donations gifted him during the last elections period.
Quadri was subsequently arraigned by the police on 26th January, 2025 before a Magistrate in Apapa, and obtained an order remanding him at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri on a trumped-up charge of armed robbery.
The police had fraudulently joined Quadri with four strange adults who had no form of connection or relationship whatsoever with him and claimed that the four strange men were his case mates.
It was learnt that as part of the diabolical frame-up of the boy, the lawyer stated, “the officers at Amukoko Police Station also misrepresented his age to be 18, knowing that disclosing his actual age would likely raise eyebrows.
“When we were briefed by Quadri’s mother a week ago, after the matter was brought to public attention by Ms. Hassana Nurudeen, the Co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, we swiftly escalated the case and took necessary steps towards securing his freedom.”
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.
In his Legal Advice, the DPP recommended the non-prosecution of Quadri. Thus, the presiding Magistrate discharged him and he was accordingly freed.
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