The travails of Alabi Quadri, the chap who became famous by his rousing reception in front of the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy during Nigeria’s 2023 election has been traced to a violent street fight in the Amukoko area of Lagos.

According to the Lagos State Police Command, the 18-year-old was arrested and charged to court after being linked to street violence in January.

This was disclosed in a statement on its X handle signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday.

According to Hundeyin, the incident happened on January 22 when a group of youths clashed in a violent street fight that caused panic in the community.

He added that several people were injured, while public and private property were damaged.

Hundeyin asserted that some innocent passersby were robbed during the chaos.

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He wrote, “The Lagos State Police Command is aware of public concerns surrounding the case of Alabi Quadri, an 18-year-old who was remanded to correctional service following his involvement in violent attacks, public disturbance, causing extensive damage to public and private properties, and injuries to persons standing by in the Amukoko area of Lagos State earlier this year.

“On January 22, 2025 to be precise, a serious breach of public peace and extensive damage to public and private properties occurred in Amukoko when groups of youths engaged in violent confrontations that escalated into street fights for all, causing widespread violence, panic, and chaos.

“During the chaos, a number of innocent passersby were reported to have been robbed and injured.”

These, the Police spokesman maintained made officers quickly swing into the matter, with the aid of community members who witnessed the event offering useful information.

He added that victims of the robbery also gave statements and identified some of those involved.

He explained further that based on the investigation, Quadri and four others were arrested and taken to court.

He noted that the court then ordered that they be kept in custody while the legal process continues.

“In response, police officers of the command immediately launched an investigation into the incident.

“More crucial information was provided by members of the community, some of whom witnessed the incident and recognised several individuals involved.

“Victims of the robbery also came forward to give statements and positively identified the perpetrators. Following a thorough and transparent investigation, Alabi Quadri and four others were arrested and charged to court in connection with the crime.

“The suspects were remanded by the court to a correctional facility pending the conclusion of legal proceedings in the matter.

“The Lagos State Police Command undoubtedly reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law to ensure justice in all matters and also ensuring the safety and security of all residents,” Hundeyin added.

The command expressed commitment to justice and safety for all residents, urging the public to remain calm and allow the courts to decide the case.

“All police actions taken in this case have been in the laid-down processes and in accordance with due process, procedures, and based on credible evidence gathered during the investigation.

“We urge the public to remain calm and allow the judicial process to take its course and be fully exhausted in the case.

“The command remains open to engaging with the general public, opinion groups, and community stakeholders to transparently clarify every concern and ensure justice is served fairly and transparently.

“It’s statutory procedure in the Criminal Justice System and codes that police actions terminate where matters are taken to court.

“Members of the general public in Lagos State are enjoined to stay calm and peaceful, and allow peace to reign to ensure justice for all,” it added.

Recall that Quadri was freed on Thursday by a Magistrate Court in Apapa following legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, which found no evidence to support the armed robbery charge against him.

His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said Alabi’s arrest and detention were part of a “diabolical frame-up” by two local thugs known in the Amukoko area as Lege and Baba Waris.

According to Effiong, the two men allegedly kidnapped Quadri near his home and handed him over to the police, claiming he was part of a street fight.

Effiong maintained that he had been receiving threats from the same individuals since 2023 because he received donations from supporters of Obi.

The family was reportedly pressured by some community leaders to buy a cow and host a feast to make peace.

Although the case was initially said to be about a street fight, the police charged Quadri with armed robbery on January 26.

He was sent to prison along with four adults he didn’t know.

Quadri’s age was also wrongly recorded as 18, according to Effiong.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed the real reason behind his opposition to Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in the 2023 general election.

Speaking in a recent interview, Wike dismissed claims that his fallout with the former Vice President was rooted in Atiku’s failure to pick him as his running mate.

According to the former Rivers State Governor, his decision was based on principle and a deep-seated belief in power rotation.

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Wike argued that after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, it was only fair for power to shift to the South.

He described any arrangement that kept power in the North as unjust, regardless of personal political gains.

“I wanted power rotation; I could not have imagined that after eight years of Buhari, power would remain in the North. It is not about whether I was chosen as a running mate or not; it’s about principle. Atiku was simply not an option,” Wike stated.

When asked whether Atiku’s refusal to select him as running mate influenced his decision, Wike insisted the issue never arose, as he was never selected in the first place.

“He never dropped me as his running mate because he didn’t pick me,” Wike clarified.

Beyond the power rotation argument, the FCT Minister accused Atiku of lacking integrity. He recalled previous dealings with the former Vice President, particularly during the 2019 election cycle, which, according to him, shattered any trust he once had.

Wike recounted how Atiku, alongside former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, allegedly promised him the opportunity to nominate key figures for the attorney general and petroleum ministerial positions — a promise he claimed was never fulfilled.

“In 2019, Atiku, Saraki and Secondus came to see me and assured me I would nominate the Attorney General and Minister of Petroleum. But when the legal team was constituted, the person I was meant to nominate wasn’t even informed. I only saw it on television,” Wike narrated.

The former governor concluded that he has never trusted Atiku’s words since that experience.

“I know from day one that Atiku will never keep to his words and I’ve never banked on that. I won’t take his words to the bank,” he said.

The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the reinstated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court also set aside all proceedings and resolutions passed by the House on January 13, 2025, the day Obasa was removed from office.

Obasa had dragged the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda — who was appointed Speaker following his removal — before the court, challenging the legality of the action.

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In its ruling, the court held that the process leading to Obasa’s removal did not comply with constitutional provisions, rendering the exercise invalid.

The judgment effectively reinstates Obasa as the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while invalidating all legislative actions carried out during Meranda’s brief tenure.