LAGOS, Nigeria — A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday granted bail to activists Taiwo “Soweto” Hassan and Dele Frank, a day after their arrest during a protest against alleged illegal demolitions, forced evictions and land grabbing in the state.
The Lagos State Police Command arraigned the pair on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, threats, unlawful assembly, and obstruction of traffic, as well as allegations that they sang “abusive songs” against the police and the Lagos State Government.
Prosecutor Anthony Ihiehie told the court that the alleged offences were committed on Jan. 28, 2026, at Allen Avenue, Alausa, and within the Lagos State House of Assembly premises. He alleged the defendants and others still at large blocked the highway using a vehicle fitted with a public address system, threatened members of the public who refused to join the protest, and acted with intent to provoke unrest and “tarnish the image” of the government.
Police said the charges were filed under sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, including provisions relating to conspiracy and public peace offences. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Proceedings briefly turned contentious when Femi Falana, SAN, announced his appearance for the defendants and the prosecution objected, arguing that a 2025 Oyo State High Court ruling barred Senior Advocates of Nigeria from appearing before lower courts. Falana countered that the 1999 Constitution guarantees defendants the right to counsel of their choice and that Lagos laws specifically permit SANs to appear at the Magistrates’ Courts. He cited Section 9 of the Lagos Magistrates’ Court Law in support.
In her ruling, Magistrate I.O. Alaka upheld Falana’s submission, holding that the rank of SAN does not restrict appearance in magistrates’ courts in Lagos.
The court subsequently granted both men bail of ₦200,000 each, with two responsible sureties in like sum, and adjourned the matter to March 11, 2026, for mention. Falana undertook personal responsibility for their court appearance, and the magistrate ordered they be released to him.
