The Federal Government has urged the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia not to further delay the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Exchange of Sentenced Persons between both countries.

The Magistrate Court in Apapa has freed the 17-year-old minor, Alabi Quadri, who went viral ahead of the 2023 general elections for standing in front of the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Quadri was wrongfully detained for months on a trumped-up charge of armed robbery. He was discharged on Wednesday, April 16, by the Magistrate court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice found no evidence to support the allegations against him.

The teenager had been remanded at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kirikiri since January 26, 2025, following what his legal team described as a “diabolical frame-up” by the police at Amukoko Divisional Headquarters.

According to his lead counsel, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Esq., Quadri was abducted by two known area boys in his community — identified as Lege and Baba Waris, who had previously harassed him over donations he received during the 2023 election season.

“Quadri was returning from work when he was grabbed by these individuals, who have repeatedly threatened him for not sharing financial gifts he received. His family was even pressured by the Baale (community leader) to appease the area boys with a cow, rice, and a feast.”

Initially accused of involvement in a street fight, Quadri’s case took a darker turn when the police charged him with armed robbery and presented him before a magistrate. Shockingly, he was grouped with four adult suspects with no known ties to him. The police also falsely listed his age as 18 to avoid the scrutiny that comes with juvenile cases.

Effiong’s team became involved in the case last week after the matter was brought to public attention by Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach. Following swift legal interventions, the court reviewed the DPP’s legal advice, which recommended that Quadri not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence.

Presiding Magistrate A. O. Olorunfemi (Mrs.) accordingly discharged Quadri, bringing a bitter chapter to an end for the teenager.

Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the m#rder of Super TV CEO, Michael Usifo Ataga, today, April 17, recounted how she discovered Ataga’s lifeless body in a short-let apartment in Lekki on June 15, 2021.

Testifying before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, the former 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos said she had returned from buying food and juice, knocked repeatedly without getting a response, then pushed the door open, only to find blood on the floor and Ataga lying motionless in a pool of blood.

“I dropped everything and rushed to him,” she recalled emotionally, adding that his eyes were half-shut and there was no pulse.

Led in evidence by her counsel, Mr. Onwuka Egwu, Chidinma recounted her relationship with Ataga, which began in November 2020. Chidinma mentioned that they met through a mutual friend, Fiyin, who was dating Ataga’s friend, James. She described Ataga as kind and supportive, claiming he paid her school fees and helped finance her cosmetics business.

According to her, Ataga who hails from Edo State and was residing in Victoria Garden City, had three children with his estranged wife based in Abuja. She told the court that on June 13, 2021, Ataga informed her of his upcoming birthday and invited her to spend time with him before travelling to Abuja for a family gathering.

“Due to ongoing renovations at his VGC residence, he suggested booking a hotel or short-let apartment in Lekki, where he had scheduled meetings,” she said

Chidinma stated that she found a short-let apartment at 19 Adewale Street, off Ologolo Road, Lekki, which Ataga approved. According to her, they met there that evening, went out to eat at Ango Villa restaurant, bought wine, and returned to the apartment to eat, drink, and smoke.

She told the court that on June 14, they woke up late and Ataga allegedly asked her to contact her supplier for ‘loud’ (cannabis) and rohypnol. She said he sent N15,000 for that and later N25,000 for food. She was out for about two hours buying meals due to COVID-related restrictions and delays. She mentioned that on June 15, Ataga requested more cannabis but asked her to pay since he was unable to transfer funds.