Peter Obi reacts as boy who stood in front of his convoy ‘detained without trial’

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has called for justice for a young boy, Yusuf Alabi, who has been reportedly held without trial at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos for over three months.

Alabi went viral during the 2023 election period after a photo of him standing in front of Obi’s campaign convoy in Lagos trended on social media. 

However, the teenager has been reportedly detained since January, with his first court appearance only occurring in late March. 

In a post shared via his official X handle recently, Obi expressed grave concern over the boy’s continued detention.

He wrote, “After delivering my speech at the Commonwealth event in London today, I was made aware of the predicament of a young boy named Quadri Yusuf Alabi, who has been detained for over three months without trial, appeared in court for the first time in March, and still remains held in custody.

“I have contacted a lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong @InibeheEffiong, who, luckily, has been actively working to intensify his release.

“I sincerely appeal to the police and other agents of the government to always operate within the law and the rules and stop the weaponizing citizens, especially our youths, who need our care and love to unleash their talents and energy towards building a new Nigeria that is possible. -PO.”

Confirming Obi’s involvement, Effiong said the former candidate had reached out to him directly, prompting an intensified legal effort to secure Alabi’s release.

“I confirm that you contacted me earlier today in respect of this case. I commend your interest in the case, Sir. Efforts have been intensified in the last 24 hours to ensure that justice is done and that Quadri Yusuf Alabi regains his freedom soonest. I will provide an update within the coming hours. History will vindicate the just,” he posted on X.

Providing an update on the situation on Wednesday after visiting the Apapa Magisterial District Court on April 9, Effiong tweeted, “We can confirm that Alabi has been in detention since January. He was abducted by ‘Area Boys’ close to his home while returning from work,” Effiong said.

According to him, Alabi’s arrest was orchestrated by local youths angered by their exclusion from the gifts he received following the viral incident during Obi’s campaign rally.

“His painful walk to prison can be attributed to the prolonged malice nursed by some self-acclaimed area boys of his locality who felt entitled to a share of the unexpected fortune that came Alabi’s way when he halted and stood in front of the convoy of Mr. Peter Obi during the last electioneering campaign,” Effiong explained.

He further revealed that the youths handed Alabi over to the police at Amukoko Police Station, also known as Pako Police Station, where he was charged alongside four strangers with armed robbery.

“It came as a rude shock when the police took him before a Magistrate along with four other individuals who are complete strangers to him, alleging that he conspired with them to commit ‘Armed Robbery’ with cutlasses,” Effiong said.

He added that the police claimed the group robbed victims of N579,000 in cash and mobile phones. 

Effiong, who claimed to have interviewed Alabi for two hours at the correctional centre, expressed strong belief in the boy’s innocence.

“Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the handling of Alabi’s case as a minor, stating that the boy has appeared in court three times alongside adult co-defendants while awaiting legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

“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 said.