Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer and counsel to Alabi Quadri, the teenager who became a viral sensation during the 2023 presidential election campaign, has accused the Lagos state police command of spreading disinformation and fabricating charges against his client.
In a statement released on X on Saturday, Effiong said the police’s version of events surrounding Quadri’s recent arrest was “laughable” and a “gross act of recklessness”.
“Our attention has been drawn to a false and provocative statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command,” the lawyer wrote.
“It is embarrassing to see the police spread fake news about an innocent Nigerian child.”
Quadri, who became an internet sensation after standing in front of Peter Obi’s convoy in Lagos last year, was reportedly arrested and remanded at a correctional centre on allegations of robbery and public disturbance in the Amukoko area of the state.
The Lagos police, through its spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, said the teenager was arrested for his involvement in “street fighting”, claiming that victims had allegedly identified him as part of a group responsible for damage and robbery. Hundeyin also said Quadri is 18 years old.
Effiong dismissed the police account as “mischievous and deeply misleading”.
“First, we wish to restate that Quadri is not 18 years old as mischievously parroted by the police. He is 17 as contained in his birth certificate and attested to by his mother. He was born on the 29th day of September 2007,” the lawyer said.
“Second, Quadri was not involved in street fighting and did not rob anyone. He also did not damage anyone’s property.”
Effiong said Quadri was “abducted by two known area boys” identified as Lege and Baba Waris, while returning from work and was subsequently dumped at the Amukoko Police Division.
According to him, the two men have been harassing the teenager since 2023 in an attempt to extort money from donations made to him following his viral moment.
He also questioned the police’s claims that Quadri was identified by victims.
“…There was no time that our client was identified by any victim of the alleged crimes. The police should tell the public when and where the identification was done and the method used,” the lawyer added.
“How was Quadri identified by the alleged victims when no identification parade was conducted as required by law, given that the alleged offences were said to have been committed at about 10pm?”
Effiong further criticised the police for detaining his client for nearly a week before taking him to court, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights.
“It is the law that once the permissible constitutional limit for detaining a suspect has passed, a subsequent order of remand cannot cure the infringement,” the lawyer said.
He said the so-called “casemates” remanded with Quadri are adults who have no relationship with the boy, adding that the police failed to provide any explanation connecting them.
Effiong condemned the police’s insistence on pressing the narrative despite a legal advisory from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) exonerating Quadri, a development that led to his discharge by the court.
“…the Lagos State Police Command, rather than exude remorse, has chosen the ignoble path of doubling down on its acts of perfidy, shamelessness, lawlessness, and utter contempt for justice and the truth. We condemn this gross act of recklessness and irresponsibility by the police. By taking this path, the Nigeria Police Force is reminding the country that it is very far from redemption,” he said.
“We shall meet CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, CSP Olaniran Ismaila O. of Amukoko, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and others in court to seek redress and compensation for Quadri.”
He added that a formal complaint would also be filed against the DPO of Amukoko at the Police Service Commission (PSC)
