Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

CDWR CONDEMNS MAKOKO’S UNJUST DEMOLITION AND POLICE REPRESSION OF ANTI-DEMOLITION PEACEFUL PROTESTERS

WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE DROPPING OF ALL TRUMPED-CHARGES AND PROSECUTION OF LAGOS CP, MR JIMOH MOSHOOD FOR VIOLENTLY ATTACKING PROTESTERS

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) condemns the unjust demolition of Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and other poor communities in Lagos as well as the forced displacement of innocent poor people without prior provisions of alternative housing and occupation or means livelihood. The CDWR also condemns the thuggish and violent conducts of the Lagos State Commission of Police, Mr Jimoh Moshood and his armed police officers who attacked innocent and peaceful protesters with excessive force and brutality.

Mr Moshood Jimoh and other police officers involved in the attack should be investigated and prosecuted for using live ammunition, teargas canisters etc., against peaceful protesters, some of whom were injured and hospitalised.  Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank were not only unlawfully arrested but were also brutalised under the personal supervision of the CP himself.

Contrary to the lies being peddled by Mr Jimoh Moshood, the protesters conducted themselves peacefully and never posed any threat to the general public. It was the CP, Mr Jimoh who led his armed team of police officer to block the road that leads to the street of the Lagos State of Assembly and stopping the protesters from getting to the Lagos State House of Assembly and  Governors office. In other words, the police violated the right of the protesters to peaceful assembly and movement before eventually used excessive force to disperse them. This brutal attack on the peaceful protesters is a violation of an existing court judgment against the Police. Justice M. Kakaki of the Federal High Court held that the harassment and arrest of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and other peaceful protesters by the police during EndSARS memorial procession on October 20, 2024 were undemocratic and unjust. Hence, awarded N10 million damages against the Police.

The role of Mr Jimoh Moshood in the violent attack unleashed on the peaceful protesters is most likely unconnected with the fact that he was already indicted in land-grabbing activities in Lagos State. This is contained in a case that was published by Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on July 28, 2025 (Lagos CP Jimoh Illegally Detains Lawyers Who Got Multibillion-Naira Property Eviction Judgment Against Albert Awofisayo’s Company). According to this report. Mr Jimoh allegedly sided with a land-grabber by using police resources for his personal benefit in violation of an existing judgement against his “client” (Albert Awofisayo) and went ahead to arrest and detained 2 lawyers who opposed the land-grab. This is one case amongst many and it is clear that Mr Jimoh has a history of using his office and police/public resources for personal aggrandisement and to harass innocent people, hence, it is not surprising that he played major roles in the unjust Makoko demolition and the brutal repression of peaceful protesters.

The statement released by one Mr Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy & Security of the Lagos State House of Assembly that suggested that the protesters rejected dialogue and insisted on forcible access to the Assembly Complex only corroborated the lies and misleading statement of the Police. Hence, this shows how partisan the Lagos State House of Assembly was involved in the unjust demolition of Makoko and the repression/attack of peaceful protesters. On this occasion, the police and House of Assembly leadership insisted that the protest terminated at a distance before the Assembly street gate and ordered the protesters to disperse.

This rubber stamp House of Assembly have tacitly supported all demolitions since 1999, which implies that some of the House Members are beneficiaries of land grab activities and it is not surprising that the Lagos State House of Assembly have never honestly and concretely intervened to halt previous demolitions or taken concrete actions to adequately compensate victims. This and many others form the basis for our conclusion that the Lagos State House of Assembly just like other parliaments across the federation only exists to defend the interests of the privileged rich and themselves.

It is a deceit for the Lagos State House of Assembly to be calling for dialogue when the House is part of the unjust demolition and displacement of thousands of people without adequate compensation that takes care of alternative housing and income for the victims. What is expected from a sane and reasonable parliament is to ensure that the unjust demolition never occurred without adequate compensation for victims. The Lagos State House of Assembly has demonstrated crass irresponsibility, insensitivity and partisanship with the demolition and violent attack on peaceful protesters. Therefore, the leadership and members should bury their faces in shame.

After the brutal attack of peaceful protest, arrest and detention of Soweto and Dele Frank on January 28, 2026, Mr Jimoh Moshood and his men have arraigned Soweto and Dele Frank based on laughable, frivolous and trumped-up and baseless charges at the Yaba Magistrate Court on January 29, 2026. One of these frivolous charges on Soweto and Dele Frank is that they “threatened to harm members of the public who fail to join the protest against Lagos State Government…” Is it not clear that the CP. Jimoh Moshood is not just a liar? He is a lap-dog for the ruling elite in Lagos State. We challenge him to present evidence in public to all of the frivolous charges he has presented in the charge sheet.

The continuous attacks on the living standard and interests of the working masses are an indication of the lack of democracy and the enthronement of authoritarian police state similar to military junta. We call on the trade union movement, community associations, students, youths and the general public to struggle to defeat the anti-poor capitalist regime and bring about a socialist society that ensures the needs of all is the corner stone of the governance.

Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) hereby demands the following:

  • Immediate halt of Makoko demolition and adequate compensation for all victims
  • Dropping of all trumped-up charges against Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank including the release of protesters’ truck and sound system gadgets.
  • Treatment of all injured and brutalised protesters and adequate compensation for all victims.
  • A public probe on the activities of the Police in their brutal attacks on peaceful protesters by panel made up of working class representatives including NBA, NLC, TUC etc.

Comrade Rufus Olusesan

National Chairperson

Comrade Chinedu Bosah

National Publicity Secretary

E-mail: [email protected]