Femi Ashekun/
Two anti-demolition protesters, Taiwo Hassan, also known as Soweto, and Dele Frank, have been arraigned by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly singing abusive songs and engaging in other acts said to have breached public peace during a protest in Ikeja.
The defendants were brought before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court over events said to have occurred on Wednesday, within the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly, in Ikeja.
According to the charge sheet, Hassan, Frank and others still at large were accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, an offence punishable under Section 57 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The police further alleged that the two activists sang abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State Government with the intent to provoke the public and tarnish the image of the state government.
This allegation forms the core of the charges and was said to be contrary to Section 57(c) of the same law.
The protest followed the demolition of buildings in several waterfront and inner city communities, including Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba Ijora.
Residents from the affected areas had converged on Ikeja on Wednesday to express opposition to the demolitions.
Trouble reportedly escalated when the protesters arrived at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex and insisted on gaining access.
Police operatives were said to have fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the five count charge bordering on disturbance of public peace.
During the proceedings, their counsel, Femi Falana, urged the court to grant them bail.
However, the police counsel opposed unconditional bail, urging the court to impose terms that would reflect the seriousness of the case.
In his ruling, the magistrate granted bail to Hassan and Frank in the sum of N200,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned to March 3, 2026 for further hearing.
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