Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has raised alarm over the prolonged detention of Yusuf Alabi, the teenage boy who gained national attention during the last election after a photo of him fearlessly standing in front of Obi’s campaign convoy went viral.
Obi, in a recent statement posted on his official X handle, called for immediate justice for the young boy, who has reportedly been held at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos since January without trial.
The image of Alabi, taken during a campaign rally in Lagos, captured hearts across the country and became one of the defining visuals of the 2023 election season.
But behind the iconic moment lies a troubling reality—Alabi’s first court appearance reportedly occurred only in late March, more than two months after his arrest.
Obi expressed deep concern over the situation, describing the boy’s detention as “a heartbreaking injustice.”
He urged authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that Alabi’s case is handled swiftly and fairly.
Obi wrote on X: “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 Peter Obi’s involvement, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong revealed that the former presidential candidate personally reached out to him, prompting a renewed and intensified legal push to secure Yusuf 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 were at the Magistrate Court of Lagos, Apapa Magisterial District, today the 9th day of April, 2025 to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the arrest, detention and subsequent remand of Alabi Quadri at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.
“After spending several hours at the court, I was accompanied by a colleague from our law firm, Alabi’s mother and other family members and relatives to visit Alabi at the custodial centre. Also in attendance was the social activist who brought the case to public attention.
“Given the interest expressed by members of the public, it is necessary to make this preliminary statement.
“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.
“According to Alabi and his mother, 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 the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. #PeterObi during the last electioneering campaign.
“Since he failed to properly “settle” some people, it has been one attack to another.
“After abducting Alabi, the same area boys who have been threatening to deal with him for not sharing the money he was gifted dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (Pako Police Station) where he was detained.
“The area boys initially claimed that Alabi was one of the young men who has been involved in street fights.
“However, 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.
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“The Police in the charge sheet alleged that the alleged two victims were robed of money and four mobile phones.
“The value of both the physical cash and four phones is N579,000 only.
“I spent about two hours interviewing Alabi about the veracity of the charges brought by the police. Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a Minor. He is less than 18 years.
“Currently, Alabi has appeared before the Magistrate on three occasions.
“The court remanded him along with the four strange individuals who are all adults at the custodial centre pending Legal Advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“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.”
