The Lagos State Police Command has filed charges against 2 activists arrested during protests against demolition exercises in parts of the state.

The activists, Taiwo Hassan and Dele Frank, were arraigned on a 5 count charge before a magistrate court sitting in Yaba, Lagos.

Police alleged that the activists conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, obstructed traffic and sang abusive songs aimed at inciting the public against the Lagos State Government.

According to the charge sheet, the police accused the defendants of threatening harm to members of the public who refused to join the protest.

One of the charges reads:

“That you TAIWO HASSAN A.K.A SOWETO ‘M’, DELE FRANK ‘M’ and others still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District, conducted yourselves in a manner to cause the breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015,”

Another count stated:

“That you TAIWO HASSAN A.K.A SOWETO ‘M’, DELE FRANK ‘M’ and others still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District, obstructed the flow of traffic by blocking the public high way with vehicle carrying public address system and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 (C) the Criminal Law of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2015.”

The police further alleged:

“That you TAIWO HASSAN A.K.A SOWETO ‘M’, DELE FRANK ‘M’ and others still at Large on the 28th day of January, 2026 at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the House of Assembly premises, Lagos within the aforementioned Magisterial District did sing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State Government with intent to provoke and tarnish the image of the Lagos State Government and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 (C) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

The protest took place on Wednesday at the Ikeja under bridge, with demonstrators opposing demolition exercises in Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba Ijora communities.

The protesters marched through Obafemi Awolowo Road to the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa.

At the assembly complex, police operatives fired tear gas after protesters insisted on gaining access into the premises before any official could address them.

The action caused panic as protesters and journalists ran for safety amid the fumes, while several demonstrators were arrested by the police.

(Arise News)

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