Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong revealed that in just four days, more than 10 million people have been raised to support Quadri Alabi, who became popular in 2023 for his bold move onto the viral front of Peter Obi’s campaign squad.
Effiong revealed this in a channel TV interview on Monday, April 21, where he appeared with Alabi. He also accused police of forging Arabi’s age at 18 in court documents to facilitate his prosecution, even if the boy was actually 17.
Alabi was released after being wrongly arrested and charged for a violent street fight in the Amukoko area of Lagos. Judge Adetola Olorunfemi ordered him to release his release under the legal advice of the Commissioner of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Effiong said the ordeal was part of a “sincere and corrupt plan” allegedly carried out by Rogue police and local boys, aiming to blackmail Alabi and her family. He explained that after his viral moment with Peter Obi and Peter Obi, he gained a reputation for modestness and attracted public donations, which made him a target.
“The area boys started blackmailing him, claiming he didn’t ‘settling’ them,” Effiong said. “They even put pressure on his mother to hold a party for the community – to buy a cow and cook. The threat escalated when she refused.”
He said that in his second attempt at Arabi, the boy known as a long-legged boy, Baba Waris, handed him to the police on his way home from get off work, wrongly accusing him of being involved in the fight. According to Effiong, police led by Amukoko branch CSP Ismaila Ulaniro detained Alabi for a week, allegedly without proper charges, and then brought him to court on January 27.
“He was accused of being charged with armed robbery with four adults he didn’t know,” Effiong said. “There was no identification parade. Zero evidence linked him to the crime.”
Effiong further accused police of manipulating Alabi’s age to ensure he could be considered an adult. “They claimed he was 18. If they said he was 17, the court probably wouldn’t return him to the ordinary prison,” he said. “The District Judge even pointed out the difference, but she said she had to comply with the information provided.”
Arabi said in an interview: “When the police came, I was at the entrance of my house.
Effiong said the subsequent crowdfunding campaign had overwhelming success. “We have raised over 10 million in four days,” he confirmed. “The aim is to relocate Quadri from Amukoko and provide a stable source of income for his mother (a small businessman). This is a testament to the sympathy and solidarity of everyday Nigerians.”
