The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has challenged the lawyer representing Alabi Quadri to provide proof that his client was detained beyond the constitutional limits. Quadri, an 18-year-old who gained attention during the 2023 presidential election for standing in front of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, was arrested in connection with a street fight in Amukoko, Lagos, in January.
According to Lagos State Police Spokesperson Ben Hundeyin, Quadri was charged alongside four others and remanded in custody while the legal process continues. The magistrate’s court in Apapa later struck out the case for lack of evidence.
Commissioner Jimoh stated that the police have formed a committee to investigate the circumstances of Quadri’s arrest and detention to ensure no constitutional violations occurred. He emphasized that the law permits detention for 24 to 48 hours depending on the proximity of the court and that investigations should precede any arrest.
Quadri’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, had alleged unlawful detention and manipulation of Quadri’s age by the police. However, Jimoh dismissed these claims as hearsay, noting police records show Quadri was brought in a day before being taken to court.
The commissioner urged Effiong to submit concrete evidence of illegal detention so the police can conduct a thorough investigation.
