By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned two activists, Hassan Taiwo and Dele Frank, before the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court over their alleged roles in a protest against illegal demolitions, forcible evictions, and land grabbing at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The duo were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, threats, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and singing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State government.
The prosecutor, Anthony Ihiehie, told the court that the defendants conspired on January 28 at Allen Avenue, Alausa, and the Assembly premises to engage in actions capable of causing a breach of peace, including threatening members of the public and obstructing traffic.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants were alleged to have committed offences punishable under Section 57 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
When the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
However, when human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, announced his appearance for them, the prosecutor objected, citing a 2025 Oyo court decision allegedly barring SANs from appearing before lower courts.
Falana countered that the constitution and Lagos Magistrates’ Court Law expressly permit any legal practitioner, regardless of rank, to appear in magistrates’ courts.
The Magistrate, I.O. Alaka, agreed with Falana, stating that “the rank of SAN is not a restriction.”
The court subsequently granted the defendants bail of N200,000 each with two sureties and adjourned the case to March 11 for mention.
Recall that protesters had gathered on Wednesday, January 28, at the Ikeja underbridge to protest the demolition exercises in Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara, and Ijora-Badia communities.
The protesters moved through Obafemi Awolowo Road to the Lagos Assembly Complex in Alausa, where police operatives fired teargas canisters after the demonstrators insisted on entering the complex before any official could address them.
