Lagos Court adjourns trial of Soweto, Frank over demolition protest

By Elizabeth Osayande & Ifunanya Ndigwe

The Yaba Magistrate Court on Wednesday adjourned the trial of Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Comrade Dele Frank until April 24, following the absence of Frank due to illness.

The activists face charges related to a peaceful protest on January 28 against the demolition of homes in communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Ajegunle, Sogunro, Oko Agbon, Iwaya, Otumara, Owode-Onirin, Bariga, and Oko-Oba.

Speaking outside the court, Soweto told supporters that the adjournment does not weaken their cause. “We are not going to be intimidated. We will continue to mobilize and organize to ensure the people’s victory. The people united can never be defeated,” he said.

The Coalition against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Landgrabbing, and Displacement in Lagos condemned the prosecution, describing it as an effort to silence peaceful protesters. The group demanded the charges be dropped, proper compensation be paid to affected communities, and that court orders be respected.

Activist Francis Nwapa criticized the police, calling for the dismissal and prosecution of Lagos CP Jimoh Moshood over alleged involvement in the assault of Soweto during the January protest.

Supporting the call, the EndBadGovernance Movement appealed to international bodies, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, for intervention. They urged global attention on alleged human rights violations linked to forced evictions in Lagos, demanding accountability for both Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and CP Moshood.

The movement claims state-led eviction violence has caused over 50 deaths across Lagos communities, with victims affected by excessive tear gas or live ammunition.

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