…Soweto, Frank’s trial stalled over police non-appearance
By Robert Egbe
The Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday, August 31, 2026, heard that the Police have yet to fully comply with its order directing the release of property seized during the January 28, 2026, anti-demolition protest by residents of Makoko, Otumara, Owode Onirin, and other waterfront communities.
Defence counsel O. C. Olagunju disclosed this during the trial of rights activists Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as “Soweto”, and Dele Frank, following their alleged participation in the peaceful protest outside the Lagos House of Assembly.
Soweto and Frank are standing trial before Magistrate Mrs I. O. Alaka
Soweto and Frank are standing trial before Magistrate Mrs I. O. Alaka on a five-count charge, including alleged unlawful assembly and singing abusive songs against the police and Lagos State Government.
They were arrested after the police violently dispersed the peaceful protesters with tear gas. The officers also confiscated protesters properties, including a Dell laptop, loudspeakers, generators, a channel mixer, wired and wireless microphones, a stabiliser amp, a power amp, a table fan extension box, loudspeaker wires, and a laptop bag containing an ATM card, an external hard drive, cables, cords, Bluetooth earpods, headphones, a wireless mic, a wallet with at least N40,000 in cash, and another wallet with N23,000, two first aid bags, among others.
At the last hearing of the case on May 8, 2036, the court granted an application by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, ordering the police to release the seized items, to clear the way for substantive trial.
At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, neither the police nor their witnesses were present.
Mr Olagunju queried the police’s absence, noting that the case was adjourned specifically to commence the trial.
He warned that the defence would file a motion asking that the case be struck out if the situation recurred at the next adjourned date.
Furthermore, the lawyer informed the court that the police had only partially complied with the order to release all seized items. He explained that most of the confiscated items were released on Friday, August 28, 2026, but that the police said they were still looking for a laptop seized from the DJ at the protest.
He applied for an adjournment to enable the police to produce the laptop, so a proper trial can commence.
Granting his prayer, Magistrate Alaka adjourned the case till October 26, 2026.
Police’s Absence Proof of Weak Case, Says Activist
Addressing journalists outside the court, Soweto described the police’s absence as proof of a weak case.
“That protest was heavily attacked and repressed by the police. In the process of firing tear gas and other shots, several protesters were injured- about five protesters, two of whom had to be hospitalised for several days. Protesters lost purses, money, and personal items. So, it was a real attack on the right to freedom of protest in Lagos State,” he alleged.
“Our lawyer has told the court that if this absence persists on the next adjourned date, we will move an application to have this case struck out. This trial is a waste of taxpayers’ money, our time, and the court’s time,” he added.
Soweto explained that nearly all the seized items have been recovered.
“We have taken possession of at least 80 to 90 per cent of those seized items. A bag here is filled with slippers and shoes of protesters, some just half of a pair. That gives an idea of the onslaught launched against us,” Soweto explained.
He described the remaining item as a high-value one belonging to the protest’s DJ.
“What is missing right now is the laptop belonging to our DJ. It’s a very costly laptop, and they claim they are still looking for it. The police are supposed to be an elite crime-fighting organisation. For them to say a laptop disappeared from their storeroom is not something we agree with,” Soweto said.
He stressed the impact on the DJ’s livelihood. “Since January 28, that DJ has been without the tools with which he seeks his livelihood. They released the sound system, but without the laptop, it’s as good as releasing nothing. We are calling on officials at Panti Police Station and the new Lagos Police Commissioner to return it immediately,” he added.
Emphasising the main message of the protest, Soweto criticised the Lagos State Government’s urban drive, insisting megacity development must not displace working-class residents.
