The controversy surrounding protests against alleged illegal demolitions, forced evictions, and land grabbing in Makoko, Oworonsoki, and other parts of Lagos deepened on Thursday, as activist and protest leader, Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as Soweto, accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, of personally leading an assault on peaceful demonstrators.
Taiwo, who leads the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Land Grabbing and Displacement in Lagos, and serves as spokesperson for the #EndBadGovernance Movement, made the allegation shortly after he and fellow activist Dele Frank (also known as Arole Fela) were arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court. The duo had been arrested during a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, where residents gathered to condemn what they described as widespread illegal demolitions and evictions targeting waterfront and low-income communities.
Speaking after his release on bail, Taiwo claimed that the police commissioner personally led the violent crackdown.
“The CP personally led the attack on me. I was severely beaten by him and other policemen. They nearly killed me. This was an attempt to silence us, but I will take legal action,” he alleged.
He further claimed that there was an attempt to rearrest him after his lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), secured his bail, accusing the police of acting on orders to “silence dissenting voices.”
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) confirmed the activists’ bail in a joint statement by its National Coordinator, Michael Adaramoye Lenin, and National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, disclosing that the case was adjourned to March 11, 2026.
“We appreciate the solidarity from comrades and civil society groups who demanded their immediate release,” YRC said, adding that no level of intimidation would stop the struggle against forced evictions in Lagos.
The group also alleged that Taiwo was brutalised—his clothes torn, blindfolded, and restrained—describing the incident as “an attack on democracy and an abuse of police power.”
PDP Condemns Police Brutality
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State also condemned what it called “an unprovoked and violent assault” on peaceful protesters, describing the attack as “a stain on our democracy.”
In a statement by its Acting Publicity Secretary, Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, the party accused the Lagos government of hiding behind urban renewal rhetoric to cover up its vested interests in the Makoko waterfront.
“The protesters were only exercising their right to dissent. Instead of being heard, they were met with teargas, batons, and brute force,” the statement read.
“If the government can demolish the homes of the vulnerable in Makoko without due process, no Lagosian is safe from the whims of a land-hungry administration.”
Police Arraign Activists
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command arraigned Taiwo and Frank on a five-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, and obstructing traffic.
Prosecuting counsel Anthony Ihiehie told the court that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences during the January 28 protest, adding that they blocked the highway and sang abusive songs to provoke public disorder.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
The proceedings took an interesting turn when Femi Falana (SAN) appeared for the activists. The prosecution objected, citing a 2025 Oyo High Court judgment allegedly restricting Senior Advocates from lower courts, but Falana countered, referencing constitutional provisions guaranteeing defendants’ right to counsel of choice.
Magistrate I.O. Alaka upheld Falana’s argument, ruling that his rank did not bar him from appearing before the court. She granted both defendants ₦200,000 bail each with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to March 11, 2026, with Falana personally undertaking responsibility for their appearance.
