Police charge activists over alleged abusive songs at Lagos anti-demolition protest

The Lagos State Police Command has filed charges against two activists, Taiwo Hassan, also known as Soweto, and Dele Frank, following their arrest during an anti-demolition protest in parts of the state.
The activists were arraigned before a magistrate court in Yaba on a five-count charge.
According to the police, the defendants allegedly threatened members of the public who refused to join the protest. They were also accused of singing what the police described as abusive songs against the Lagos State Government in a bid to incite the public.
In the charge sheet, the police alleged that on January 28, 2026, at Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Alausa and the Lagos State House of Assembly premises, the defendants and others still at large conducted 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 activists obstructed the free flow of traffic by blocking public highways with a vehicle fitted with a public address system, an offence said to be punishable under Section 57(C) of the same law.
Another count accused the defendants of singing 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.
The protest
On Wednesday, protesters converged at the Ikeja under-bridge to demonstrate against ongoing demolition exercises in Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba Ijora communities.
The protesters later marched through Obafemi Awolowo Road towards the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa.
At the assembly complex, police operatives fired tear gas after the protesters insisted on gaining access to the premises before any government official addressed them.
The tear gas caused panic, forcing protesters and journalists to scramble for safety. Several protesters were also arrested during the incident.