By Iniebehe Effiong

We were at the Magistrate Court of Lagos, Apapa Magisterial District, today the 9th day of April, 2025 to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the arrest, detention and subsequent remand of Alabi Quadri at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.

After spending several hours at the court, I was accompanied by a colleague from our law firm, Alabi’s mother and other family members and relatives to visit Alabi at the custodial centre. Also in attendance was the social activist who brought the case to public attention.

Given the interest expressed by members of the public, it is necessary to make this preliminary statement.

We can confirm that Alabi has been in detention since January.

He was abducted by ‘Area Boys’ close to his home while returning from work.

According to Alabi and his mother, his painful walk to prison can be attributed to the prolonged malice nursed by some self-acclaimed area boys of his locality who felt entitled to a share of the unexpected fortune that came Alabi’s way when he halted and stood in front of the convoy of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi during the last electioneering campaign.

Since he failed to properly “settle” some people, it has been one attack to another.

After abducting Alabi, the same area boys who have been threatening to deal with him for not sharing the money he was gifted dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (Pako Police Station) where he was detained.

The area boys initially claimed that Alabi was one of the young men who has been involved in street fights.

However, it came as a rude shock when the Police took him before a Magistrate along with four other individuals who are complete strangers to him, alleging that he conspired with them to commit “Armed Robbery” with cutlasses.

The Police in the charge sheet alleged that the alleged two victims were robed of money and four mobile phones.

The value of both the physical cash and four phones is N579,000 only.

I spent about two hours interviewing Alabi about the veracity of the charges brought by the police. Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a Minor. He is less than 18 years.

Currently, Alabi has appeared before the Magistrate on three occasions.

The court remanded him along with the four strange individuals who are all adults at the custodial centre pending Legal Advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

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.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Inibehe Effiong.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the closure of its national secretariat to mourn the passing of its director of administrative, Hon. Lateef Adeniji.

Adeniji was kidnapped about two months ago in Abuja and was later killed by his captors after N50 million ransom was paid by the party to free him

The closure of the secretariat was contained in a memo dated 10th April, 2025 and signed by the deputy director of administration, Ubagba Abel.

The memo titled: ‘Secretariat closure for the mourning of the director of administration’, advised all the staff to use the period of mourning for sober reflection and prayers for the family and the loved ones.

It reads: “The National Secretary has approved the closure of the National secretariat from all party/work activities with immidiate effect till Monday 14th April 2025.

”This decision was made after he had received the news of the sad demise of the Director of Administration Late Hon. AbdulRaif Adekunle Adeniji.”

Dangote Industries Ltd. has said it is committed to making Nigeria self-sufficient in key sectors such as cement production, agriculture, mining, and petroleum refining.

Dr. Abayomi Shittu, Regional Sales Director (Southeast) of Dangote Cement, made the pledge during an interview on Sunday at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair.

“Dangote Industries Ltd. operates across several sectors including cement, sugar, salt, poly products, real estate, agriculture, logistics, telecommunications, steel, oil, and gas,” Shittu said.

He noted that three of its major subsidiaries—Dangote Cement Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, and NASCON Allied Industries Plc (producers of Dangote Salt)—are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, reflecting the company’s strong investment footprint in the country.

“Our continued innovation, value creation, and investments in Nigeria are driven by our deep belief in the country’s vast economic potential,” he added.

Highlighting the group’s impact, Shittu said the Dangote Sugar Refinery’s out-grower scheme has provided employment to thousands of farmers in its host communities, boosting local economies.

He also emphasized the transformative role of Dangote Fertiliser in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and the anticipated economic ripple effect from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is poised to stimulate the development of supporting industries.

“In addition, we recruit engineering and technology graduates and train them across various areas of industrial operations to build local capacity,” Shittu said.

He praised the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) for organizing impactful trade fairs, describing the Enugu event as a strategic platform given the state’s significant industrial base in the Southeast and South-South regions.

“ECCIMA trade fairs offer a unique opportunity for industries like ours to connect with customers and partners from across these regions,” he noted.

Source: NAN.