The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arraigned activist Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as Soweto, alongside Dele Frank before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court over their alleged involvement in a protest against illegal demolitions, forcible evictions and land grabbing.
The defendants were charged with five counts bordering on conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, threats, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic and the singing of abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State Government.
Prosecuting counsel, Anthony Ihiehie, told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired on January 28, 2026, at Allen Avenue, Alausa and within the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly to engage in acts capable of breaching public peace. He added that the alleged actions included threatening members of the public and obstructing vehicular movement.
Both Soweto and Frank pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Proceedings were briefly disrupted when human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, announced his appearance for the defendants, prompting an objection from the prosecutor, who cited a 2025 court decision in Oyo State purportedly restricting Senior Advocates of Nigeria from appearing before lower courts.
Falana, however, argued that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court Law expressly allow any legal practitioner, irrespective of rank, to appear before a magistrate’s court.
In his ruling, Magistrate I.O. Alaka upheld Falana’s position, stating that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria does not constitute a restriction to appearing in lower courts.
The court subsequently granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties and adjourned the case until March 3, 2026, for mention.
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