A Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has granted bail to activists Taiwo ‘Soweto’ Hassan and Dele Frank, who were arrested during a protest against alleged illegal demolitions, forcible evictions, and land grabbing in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arraigned the duo on five counts bordering on conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, threats, and singing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State Government. The defendants were arrested on Wednesday following the protest.
Prosecuting counsel, Anthony Ihiehie, told the court that Soweto, Frank, and others still at large allegedly committed the offences on January 28, 2026, at Allen Avenue, Alausa, and within the Lagos State House of Assembly premises. He alleged that the defendants engaged in acts capable of breaching public peace, threatened violence, obstructed the free flow of traffic, and blocked highways using a vehicle fitted with a public address system.
According to the prosecution, the defendants also allegedly threatened members of the public who declined to join the protest and sang abusive songs against the police and the state government with intent to provoke unrest and tarnish the government’s image. The offences were said to contravene Sections 411, 56, 57, and 57(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn when human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, announced his appearance for the defendants, prompting an objection from the prosecution, which cited a 2025 Oyo State High Court judgment allegedly barring SANs from appearing before lower courts. Falana countered the objection, citing constitutional provisions and Lagos State laws permitting SANs to appear before Magistrates’ Courts.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs I. O. Alaka upheld Falana’s submission and dismissed the objection. She subsequently granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N200,000 each, with two responsible sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to March 11, 2026, for mention. The defendants were ordered released to Falana, who undertook responsibility for their appearance in court.
