From Prison at 12 to Freedom at 22: Emeka Nzeruike Released After 10 Years, Photos Trend

• A young boy identified as Emeka Nzeruike, who was sentenced to prison in 2015, has finally regained his freedom and become a viral sensation
• A lawyer who secured his release detailed how the boy was thrown into prison at the young age of 12 over allegations bordering on theft and was abandoned for 10 years
• The lawyer shared photos of the boy's present condition and also made a key demand from Nigerians, but mixed reactions have trailed the development on social media platform X

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Emeka Nzeruike, a 12-year-old boy, arrested in 2015 and held in prison for alleged theft without trial, has finally regained his freedom.

Emeka was imprisoned at the age of 12 and was released in 2025, at the age of 22, following the intervention of a lawyer.

A lawyer identified as Alex, who secured Emeka's freedom, shared the story on his X page on July 29, accompanied by photos of the young boy's present condition.

Read also

“How we killed nurse, child in Abuja school after collecting ransom,” Suspect speaks

He tweeted:

"At the young age of 12, Emeka Nzeruike was thrown into prison in 2015, alone, afraid &forgotten. No trial, No lawyer ,No voice .Today, We stood where justice had long been silent. We held his hands, walked him out of the court room & gave him back his future. Welcome back Emeka."

Expressing disbelief over Emeka's prolonged detention without trial, the lawyer in a previous post tweeted:

"Today at the prisons, I met a boy who has been in prison for 10 years. He was sent to prison when we was 12 in 2015, he is 22 now, still in prison awaiting trial for stealing

"If I was told this story, I would hardly believe it."

Nigerians urged to assist Emeka financially

However, the lawyer called on Nigerians for financial support for Emeka to restart his life afresh.

"Emeka has regained his freedom, but he faces a world he barely knows. He is sick with No shelter,clothes,family support or means to survive. He needs our help to heal, undergo therapy, learn a skill &stand on his feet. Let’s help Emeka start again. 1016357405, Leeds Legal, Zenith."

Read also

Ex-NYSC member who protested at Oshodi bridge opens up about job-hunting experience, shares CV

Nigerians react as 22-year-old man regains freedom

As usual, Nigerians took to the lawyer's comment section on X and shared their opinion on the development. Legit.ng compiled a few reactions below;

@afilmhead tweeted:

"Who sends a 12 years old to prison."

@topnotchvibe_ tweeted:

"This is so sad."

@Xandyy_Jay tweeted:

"Let's all raise him. We can all donate 10m for him to restart himself."

@IfeDada2 tweeted:

"You’ll think you’re going through a lot till you hear someone’s story."

@XBTonchain tweeted:

"The judge who sent him to prison and everyone involved needs to be sued."

@Hybrid_Ola tweeted:

"The type of abuse this guy would have gone through. Omo."

@_dchairman tweeted:

"A whole 10 years of his life thrown away like that, this is pure wickedness."

See the photos below;

Court jails boy from Obi's convoy photo

Similarly, Legit.ng reported that Barrister Inibehe Effiong narrated the disturbing circumstances leading to the arrest and continued detention of Alabi Quadri.

Read also

Peter Rufai's daughter opens up on why late goalkeeper kept his illness secret

The minor rose to public attention in 2023 after he stood in front of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi's campaign convoy.

Effiong shared that Quadri had been held at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, since January this year.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng