The Commissioner of Police for Lagos says they have no knowledge of the Department of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) advice that led to the release of Quadri Alabi, an 17-year-old who gained attention during the 2023 general elections for standing in front of Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi’s convoy.
Commissioner of Police Jimoh Moshood says that the police were not informed whether the DPP’s advice recommended bail, acquittal, or discharge for Alabi.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Moshood said, “We have not seen the DPP advice. We don’t know whether he was granted bail, acquitted, or discharged. We will verify the details today.”
He noted that the police were not invited when the court made its decision and that Alabi’s trial for alleged armed robbery had not yet begun.
“The court saw reason to remand him based on his statement that he’s 18, but we were not involved in whatever transpired afterward,” Moshood added.
On April 17, the Apapa Magistrates’ Court freed Alabi following DPP advice from Dr. Babajide Martins, which reportedly found no evidence to substantiate armed robbery charges against him and co-defendant Muiz Animashaun.
The two were among five suspects facing trial for the offense.
Moshood addressed claims by Alabi’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, that the teenager is 17, not 18. He insisted that Alabi stated he was 18 in police records.
“The boy himself wrote 18 in his statement. I verified this at Amukoko Police Station yesterday,” Moshood said.
He questioned the authenticity of a birth certificate presented by Effiong, suggesting it could be investigated, as “birth certificates aren’t issued over the phone, and documents can be doctored with AI.”
The Commissioner also denied allegations that Alabi’s statement was taken under duress, stating, “His age was recorded based on his own declaration, not coercion.”
He emphasized that the police would study the DPP advice to determine their next steps.
Effiong has called for an investigation into the Amukoko Divisional Police Officer, accusing them of framing Alabi for armed robbery at the behest of “rogue Area Boys.”
The police have yet to respond to these allegations, with Moshood noting that further verification is needed, as “neither you nor I were in court.”
