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The Lagos State Police Command has filed criminal charges against two activists, Taiwo Hassan, also known as Soweto, and Dele Frank, following their arrest during an anti-demolition protest in the state.
The activists were arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Yaba on a five-count charge, with the police alleging that they engaged in conduct capable of breaching public peace during the demonstration.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly threatened members of the public who refused to join the protest and used songs deemed abusive toward the Lagos State Government and the police in an attempt to incite others.
The police further accused the activists of obstructing traffic by blocking major roads with a vehicle fitted with a public address system at several locations, including Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa, and the Lagos State House of Assembly complex.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred on January 28, 2026, and were filed under provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“That you TAIWO HASSAN A.K.A SOWETO ‘M’, DELE FRANK ‘M’ and others 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 did sing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State Government with intent to 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,” it read.
According to court documents, the police claimed the activists’ actions were intended to provoke disorder, damage the image of the state government, and disrupt public order.
Other individuals involved in the protest were listed as suspects still at large.
The protest took place on Wednesday, when demonstrators gathered at the Ikeja under-bridge to oppose demolition exercises in communities such as Makoko, Owode-Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara, and Baba-Ijora.
The demonstrators later marched along Obafemi Awolowo Road toward the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa.
Tensions rose at the assembly complex after demonstrators insisted on gaining access to the premises before any engagement with lawmakers.
Police operatives subsequently deployed teargas to disperse the crowd, forcing demonstrators and journalists to flee for safety. Several demonstrators were also arrested during the operation.
