The police command in Lagos has charged two activists — Taiwo Hassan and Dele Frank — who were arrested during the protest against demolitions in some communities in the state.
The police filed a five-count charge against the activists at the Yaba magistrate court in Lagos.
The force alleged that the activists threatened to harm members of the public who did not join the protest.
They also alleged that the activists sang “abusive songs” against the Lagos state government in a bid to incite the public.
“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,” the charge sheet 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, 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.
“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.”
On Wednesday, protesters gathered at the Ikeja under-bridge in Lagos for the protests over the demolition exercises in Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba-Ijora communities.
The protesters moved through Obafemi Awolowo road to the Lagos assembly complex in Alausa.
At the Lagos legislature, the police operatives fired tear gas after the demonstrators insisted on entering the complex before any official could address them.
Amid the fumes, protesters and journalists scampered for safety.
Some of the protesters were also arrested by the police.
