SOLIDARITY IN COURT: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

DROP TRUMPED-UP CHARGES AGAINST TAIWO HASSAN SOWETO AND DELE FRANK

Today, 11th March 2026, members and collaborators of the #EndBadGovernance Lagos Movement were present at Court 2 of the Yaba Magistrate Court to stand in firm solidarity with Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank (Arole Fela), who are facing trial over mass protest against unjust demolitions and forced evictions on January 28, 2026.

It should be recalled that Soweto was not just arrested but was also brutally tortured by the Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP) Moshood Jimoh and his men for playing a leading role in the struggle to defend the oppressed communities.

Due to the absence of the 2nd defendant, Dele Frank, on health grounds, the presiding magistrate adjourned the case to 24th April 2026.

Shockingly, despite the defence informing the court that the 2nd defendant was ill and unable to appear physically, the prosecuting lawyer desperately urged the presiding magistrate to issue a bench warrant for his arrest—even while he is on his sick bed. This disturbing move further underscores that this trial is not about any crime committed by the defendants, but rather a vindictive attempt to punish dissent and intimidate activists who are raising legitimate demands.

It is also a clear attempt to divert attention from the growing outcry over the connivance between the Lagos State Government and land grabbers, who are forcibly evicting poor communities from their homes in order to hand over the land to big business sharks for the construction of multi-billion-naira luxury homes for the rich. We strongly condemn this persecution.

We therefore renew our demand for the immediate investigation, removal and prosecution of CP Moshood Jimoh for his role in the brutalization of activists and residents. We also call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt the violent eviction of working-class communities across Lagos.

The presence of activists and residents of Makoko, whose community is at the centre of January 28 protest, in court today sends a clear message: we will not abandon our own. We remain resolute in standing with Soweto, Arole Fela, and all communities facing repression and displacement. The struggle for justice, dignity and democratic rights will continue.

An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity!

Michael Adaramoye Lenin

National Coordinator

Francis Nwapa

National Secretary

Email: [email protected]