- Safiu Kehinde
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has defended the police involvement in the arrest and arraignment of Quadri Alabi, the boy who stood in front of Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential campaign in the state.
NPO Reported that the teenager had, following the event, come under threat by some suspected hoodlums at his Amukoko residence over his refusal to share his proceeds of the campaign with them.
The hoodlums allegedly abducted and framed him up at the Amukoko Police Station, claiming he was involved in the recent the recent violent attacks and robbery in the community.
The Police would arrest and arraign him to court where he was remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison.
His plight caught the attention of netizens and intervention of Human Rights lawyers, including Inibehe Effiong, who effected his release after spending three months in prison.
Reacting to the development while speaking on Channels TV’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, CP Olohundare held that there are records to justify the Police involvement in the arrest and arraignment of Quadri.
As against claims that Quadri was 17-year-old, the Lagos Police Commissioner said the boy himself told the Police he was 18 years old in his statement record.
This, according to Olohundare, served as the basis of the Police’s treatment of the case.
“We have procedure. We have a case file where everybody alleged of an offense will make statement and, in the statement, it was the boy himself that said he is 18 and it was recorded.
“I’ve been to Amukoko Police station before while going round and I still went there yesterday to check the entry they have.
“If you say you are 18 and possibly somebody is saying you are above 17 going to 18 and you tell a Policeman that you are 18, you will be treated as such.
“So, what we have in our statement form that Quadri filled is 18 years. It is on the basis of that that we proceed with the investigation into the matter. That suffice to say we have record to butress our action.” Oluhdare said.
Prior to that, the Lagos Police Chief explained the Force’s rule of engagement when dealing with cases of minor.
“Nothing is an offense under the law except what the law stated to be an offence. And the law stating the offense will state the procedures for which an offender should be handled, whether a minor, a juvenile, young person, or an adult. It is the procedural processes that differs.
“Now if a minor commits an offense, then there are processes for which such a minor should be handled. If you look at people that rob in traffic, people that engage in cultism and gangsterism and kill people, except you are a victim of crime before you know what I’m trying to say.
“Even the fear of this young lads going around that they are minor is devastating for residents. But we will not say because of that, we will go beyond the law to do what is improper.” He said.
Reacting to Inibehe’s claim that the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins tendered a no-case advice before the Apapa Magistrate Court which led to Quadri, release, Olohundare held that the Command is yet to confirm from the DPP on the nature of Quadri’s discharge by the court.
“The lawyer here yesterday, with respect to him, was saying the DPP. For us, we have not seen the DPP’s advice. We don’t know whether he was directed to be granted bail, whether he was acquitted, or whether he was discharged. We are going to equally verify all those things.” He added.