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.”

“Our attention has been drawn to a false and provocative statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command in which the Command unsuccessfully attempted to mislead the public on the fabricated case they initiated against Quadri Alabi. The statement is not only laughable, it is ridiculous. It is embarrassing to see the police spread disinformation and fake news about an innocent Nigerian child,” Mr Effiong wrote.

Earlier, 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.

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

“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 spokesman added.

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.

Contrary to the Lagos Police Command’s claim, Mr Effiong reaffirmed that Mr Quadri is 17 years old, not 18, as evidenced by his birth certificate and confirmed by his mother.

“First, we wish to restate that Quadri is not 18 years old as mischievously parroted by the police. He is 17 as contained in his birth certificate and attested to by his mother. He was born on the 29th day of September, 2007,” Mr Effiong noted.

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.

Citing “shamelessness, lawlessness, and utter contempt for justice and the truth,” Mr Effiong reiterated his intent to seek redress in court and to hold accountable the officers involved in Mr Quadri’s remand.

“We condemn this gross act of recklessness and irresponsibility by the police. By taking this path, the Nigeria Police Force is reminding the country that it is very far from redemption,” Mr Effiong said.

“We shall meet the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, the DPO of Amukoko, CSP Olaniran Ismaila O., the IPO, Inspector Odigbe Samuel, and others in the court in the coming days to seek redress and adequate compensation for Quadri. We will also file a formal complaint with the Police Service Commission against the lawless DPO of Amukoko,” the lawyer added.