Rights activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto and fellow protester Dele Frank was arraigned on January 29, 2026, at Yaba Magistrates’ Court, facing five serious charges linked to a protest against illegal demolitions and forced evictions in Lagos State on January 28.
Both men pleaded not guilty.
The charges include conspiracy to cause breach of peace, threatening violence, unlawful assembly, obstructing traffic, and singing abusive songs against the police and government, violations under sections 411, 56, and 57 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.
Soweto appeared in court with a swollen face and missing shoes, alleging brutal assault and theft of his property while in police custody.
His legal team, led by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, condemned the treatment and called for justice.
According to Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Soweto’s ordeal began when he was forcibly abducted by police officers acting under Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh during the protest at the Lagos House of Assembly.
Soweto was dragged into the Assembly premises where the police commissioner himself allegedly assaulted him, ordering his shirt torn and blindfolding him with the fabric.
He was repeatedly beaten and denied access to legal counsel and family while detained at Panti Police Station.
Soweto described the brutal encounter:
"The CP began to beat me up immediately I was dragged into Alausa. When he realized I recognised him, he ordered my shirt torn and blindfolded me. They continued beating me before taking me to Panti."
While detained, police reportedly tried to force medical treatment on Soweto without his consent, which he resisted.
The police also pressured him to write a statement without lawyer presence.
An initial attempt to arraign Soweto at Ogba Magistrate Court failed due to court closure, and he was later arraigned at Yaba Magistrates’ Court in his underwear.
According to CAPPA, this targeted crackdown on Soweto and other protesters follows a broader pattern of police suppression in Lagos.
CAPPA highlighted a 2025 court ruling that awarded ₦10 million to victims of police brutality during EndSARS commemorations, a judgment still unmet by the Lagos Police Command.
Despite harsh conditions, Dele Frank, also known as Arole Fela, kept spirits alive in detention, entertaining fellow inmates with music and dance, a reminder that resistance persists.
The arraignment lays bare tensions between Lagos authorities and citizens protesting demolitions, with calls from civil society for accountability and respect for human rights.
The court case continues, with the next hearing date pending.
Summary of Charges Against Soweto and Frank:
- Conspiracy to cause breach of peace, threaten violence, unlawful assembly, and obstruct traffic (Section 411).
- Threatening the public who refuse to join the protest (Section 56).
- Conduct likely to cause breach of peace (Section 57).
- Obstruction of traffic using a vehicle with a public address system (Section 57C).
- Singing abusive songs against the police and government with intent to provoke (Section 57C).
This case highlights urgent concerns over protest rights and police conduct in Lagos, as civil rights groups monitor developments closely.
More updates will follow as the story unfolds.
