The Lagos State Government has officially responded to a viral social media video alleging the illegal arrest and detention of a 14-year-old boy at Kirikiri Prison. In a statement from the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, authorities described the claims as false and engineered to sway public opinion.
According to the government, the individual in question is not 14-year-old Michael Adekunle, but rather Michael Adebiyi, who was 18 years old at the time of his arrest in 2022. Adebiyi was taken into custody alongside Adedeji Kabiru and Adekunle Waris on suspicion of armed robbery.
The Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro, clarified that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions received the case file in January 2023 and promptly issued legal advice, establishing a prima facie case against Adebiyi and Kabiru for conspiracy and armed robbery under Lagos State law. Waris was released due to lack of evidence.
Charges were filed at the Lagos State High Court in May 2023, and the trial has proceeded under Justice H.O. Oshodi. The prosecution has already closed its case, and the defense recently filed a no-case submission, which is pending hearing.
Addressing the age discrepancy, the government emphasized that both the suspect’s statement and official records consistently show the name Michael Adebiyi and age 18. It noted that neither the defendant nor his lawyers raised any objections about identity or age during court proceedings. The government urged the public to disregard the viral video, calling it a deliberate attempt to garner sympathy for the accused.