Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Saturday, condemned the Lagos State Police Command for spreading what he described as a false and provocative statement regarding the three-month detention of Quadri Alabi, a 17-year-old boy who gained public attention during the 2023 presidential election for standing in front of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s convoy.
Mr. Effiong, in a statement on his social media platforms, described the police narrative as “laughable, embarrassing, and ridiculous.”
Mr. Effiong also refuted the claim that Mr. Quadri was involved in a street fight, committed robbery, or damaged anyone’s property.
Challenging the police claims, Mr. Effiong demanded that the Lagos Police Command explain to the public the exact circumstances that led to Mr. Quadri’s arrest and subsequent remand at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri.
Reacting to the claims, the Lagos State command, in a statement by its public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that Mr. Quadri was arrested and subsequently remanded after being linked to a street fight in the Amukoko area of Lagos in January.
The police spokesperson stated that some innocent passersby, who were robbed during the incident, and community members identified the suspected assailants.
According to Mr. Hundeyin, Mr. Quadri and four others were arrested and charged to court based on eyewitness statements.
The Lagos State police maintained that it is committed to justice and the safety of members of the general public, urging calm and the pursuit of appropriate judicial resolution.
