A Lagos Magistrate Court in Yaba has granted bail to activist Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Soweto, and co-defendant Dele Frank following their arraignment on multiple charges stemming from an anti-demolition protest on January 28, 2026.
The defendants, arrested during a demonstration against forced evictions and demolitions in communities such as Makoko, Oworonshoki, and Owode Onirin, appeared before the Yaba Magistrate Court.
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) represented the defendants and applied for their bail in liberal terms. He argued that the charges were illegal, violating Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedoms of expression and assembly.
Falana highlighted that the protesters had been detained since the previous day without contact with the outside world, had sustained injuries, and needed to return home to change and recover. He urged the court to release them into his custody, stating, “I know them. They are responsible Nigerians.”
He further noted an alleged prior agreement with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for the protest to proceed peacefully.
The police, however, opposed the bail claiming that while bail is generally free, the defendants, if released without strict terms, might return to block major roads or the National Assembly.
They pleaded for conditions that would underscore the seriousness of the case and ensure court appearances.
The court granted bail to the defendants in the sum of ₦200,000 each, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner had filed a five-count charge accusing Soweto, Dele Frank, and others still at large of conspiracy to commit felony.
“Count 1: That you Taiwo Hassan A.K.A Soweto ‘M’, Dele Frank ‘M’ and others at Large, on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: conduct likely to cause breach of peace threatening, violence, unlawful assembly and obstructing the free flow of traffic thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“Count II: That you Taiwo Hassan A.K.A Soweto ‘M’, Dele Frank ‘M’ and other still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District of threatened to harm member of public who fail to join the protest against Lagos State Government and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“Count III: That you Taiwo Hassan A.K.A Soweto ‘M’, Dele Frank ‘M’ and other still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District conducted yourselves in a manner to cause the breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
“Count IV: That you Taiwo Hassan A.K.A Soweto ‘M’, Dele Frank ‘M’ and other still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District obstruct the flow of traffic by blocking the public high way with vehicle carrying public address system and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 (C) the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“Count V: That you Taiwo Hassan A.K.A Soweto ‘M’, Dele Frank ‘M’ and other still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and thw House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District sing abusive song against the police and the Lagos State Government with intent provoke and tarnish the image of the Lagos State Government and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 (C) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
The case was adjourned to March 3, 2026.
Civil society groups continue to call for justice, an end to forced evictions without alternatives, and accountability for alleged police excesses.