Makoko – Trial of Anti-Demolition Protestors Adjourned

TRIAL OF  HASSAN TAIWO SOWETO AND DELE FRANK OVER JANUARY 28 ANTI-EVICTION PROTEST: COURT ADJOURNED TO MAY 8 FOR RULING ON SEIZED PROTEST ITEMS AND CONTINUATION OF SUBSTANTIVE CASE.

At the Magistrate Court, Yaba Lagos on Friday April 24, 2026, proceedings were held in the ongoing police prosecution of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank, who are being charged for their roles in the January 28 mass protest against unjust demolition and forced evictions of poor people communities by the Lagos State government.

The protest, which was peaceful and aimed at resisting forced evictions and land grabbing in communities such as Makoko, Oworoshoki, and Owode-Onirin, was violently disrupted by the police. Officers fired teargas canisters at protesters and passersby, leading to multiple injuries and hospitalizations. In the course of the crackdown, Soweto was brutalised by the police and subsequently arrested and detained along with Dele Frank. Since January 29, they have been standing trial on frivolous charges.

During the Friday’s sitting, the court heard defendants’ application for the release of properties seized by the police during the protest, including DJ equipment, computer systems, generator, First Aid box, and other essential items used for the peaceful mass action. The police opposed the application. After hearing both parties, the court adjourned the matter to May 8, 2026, for ruling on the application and continuation of hearing on the substantive case.

We reiterate that the prosecution of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank is an attempt to criminalize lawful protest and silence opposition to the displacement of vulnerable communities under the guise of urban development.

We further maintain that the continued detention of seized items, including phones,  DJ sound system, first aid boxes etc is unlawful and wicked. By the action, the police have deprived the DJ, for instance, his livelihood for about 3 months and further subjected him and his family into a deeper hardship.

It is also condemnable that despite widespread public objections and petitions submitted to the Police Service Commission, Moshood Jimoh was promoted to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) and now heads Zone 2. This is in the face of serious allegations that under his command, seven residents of Makoko, lost their lives after teargas was fired into a densely populated area, including a five-day-old baby who reportedly died from inhalation of teargas fumes. In total, 53 persons are reported to have lost their lives across Oworoshoki, Owode-Onirin, and other communities affected by forceful evictions and land grabbing. We also restate that Jimoh Moshood directly participated in the brutalisation and torture of Comrade Soweto during the protest.

Nonetheless, Moshood Jimoh promotion does not erase accountability. Soweto has already instituted a civil action against him along with the police and Lagos state government over the bestial action of January 28.

By and large, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all seized properties, call for the withdrawal of all charges against Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank and adequate compensation to all the victims of the forced eviction and demolitions

Michael Adaramoye Lenin

National Coordinator

Francis Nwapa

National Secretary

Youth Rights Campaign

YRC email: [email protected]