ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, has demanded N100 million in compensation from the Nigerian Police Force for the alleged illegal arrest and detention of a 17-year-old minor, Alabi Quadri.
Quadri gained national attention in early 2023 after a video of him standing in front of the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, went viral.
He was later arrested and charged with armed robbery—a charge his family consistently denied.
Following months in detention at the Kirikiri prison, Quadri was released on Thursday by Magistrate Adetola Olorunfemi after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, issued legal advice clearing him of wrongdoing.
Speaking to journalists after the court ruling in the Apapa area of Lagos, Effiong praised the DPP for “standing by the truth” in the case.
He, however, condemned the role of police officers in the matter and called for the immediate removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Amukoko Divisional Headquarters.
Effiong also insisted that the DPO, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), identified as Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and all other officers involved in the case be subjected to an orderly room trial.
He described the case as “an evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme of framing-up a teenager for armed robbery at the behest of rogue ‘Area Boys’.”
The lawyer further demanded a public apology to Quadri from the Nigerian Police Force.
“If the above three remedial demands are not fully complied with immediately, we shall initiate legal actions to seek redress,” Effiong warned.
According to him, the incident represents a broader issue within Nigeria’s law enforcement system.
“Quadri’s case is a painful example of the putrefying corruption, monstrous impunity, and pervasive injustice in the Nigeria Police Force.
“There are many Quadris languishing in detention centres across Nigeria because of the unbridled criminality, lawlessness, and lack of accountability in the Police institution and the weakness of the justice system. History will vindicate the just,” Effiong said.