By: Adeosun Ewatomi
Alabi’s troubling journey into police custody has raised serious concerns, especially as he is a minor under the age of 18. According to Alabi and his mother, his current ordeal stems from lingering resentment harbored by some self-styled “area boys” in his neighborhood. These individuals reportedly felt entitled to a share of the money Alabi received after a chance encounter with Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 election campaign.
Alabi had briefly halted in front of Mr. Obi’s convoy, an act that unexpectedly led to him receiving financial gifts. However, his refusal to “settle” the area boys allegedly sparked a series of threats and violent confrontations.
The situation escalated when the same area boys abducted Alabi and dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (also known as Pako Police Station). There, police detained him based on accusations from the area boys, who claimed he was involved in street fighting.
Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate alongside four adult men whom he does not know. The police alleged that the group conspired to commit armed robbery using cutlasses. The reported victims were allegedly dispossessed of cash and four mobile phones, collectively valued at N579,000.
Despite his status as a minor, Alabi has now appeared in court three times. The Magistrate ordered that he be remanded with the four adult co-defendants at a custodial center, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who is involved in the case, has condemned the handling of Alabi’s case and vowed to pursue all legal avenues to secure his release. “We shall provide additional information and the available legal options subsequently. Suffice it to say that we will do all that is legally permissible to secure Alabi’s freedom,” he said.
This case has drawn public attention, particularly over concerns that a minor is being treated as an adult in a criminal justice process that appears flawed from the outset.