By A Lagos Chief Magistrate Court on Thursday struck out armed robbery charges against 17-year-old Alabi Quadri, months after he gained public attention for standing defiantly in front of Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 elections.
Chief Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi dismissed the charge following a legal review by Lagos State’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, who found no evidence supporting the allegations made by the police.
Quadri, alongside Muiz Animashaun and three others, had been arraigned on charges of armed robbery. However, the DPP advised that only the three remaining defendants had a case to answer and should proceed to trial.
Outside the courtroom, Quadri’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, praised the DPP’s office for what he called “a courageous stand for justice.” He condemned the actions of officers at the Amukoko Divisional Headquarters and accused them of attempting to frame Quadri.
“This was a sinister and corrupt scheme,” Effiong told reporters. “It was carried out at the behest of rogue ‘Area Boys’ with the complicity of police officers.” He called for the dismissal and disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer and the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Odigbe Samuel.
Effiong is also demanding N100 million in compensation from the Nigeria Police Force and a public apology, stating, “No Nigerian, especially a teenager, should ever be subjected to this kind of trauma again.”
