Trial stalls, laptop missing as police return incomplete seized items to Lagos anti-demolition protesters
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The trial of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank, arrested over protests against the demolition of Makoko and other communities, stalled today August 31 as the police prosecution team led by Anthony Ihiehie failed to appear in court.
Defence counsel, OC Olagunju, told the court that he would be compelled to apply for the dismissal of the case if the prosecution’s absence persisted.
The police arraigned the duo on January 29, 2026, over their participation in a January 28 protest against alleged illegal demolitions in Makoko and other waterfront communities in Lagos, held at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Magistrate I. O. Alaka adjourned the case to October 26, giving the police prosecution another opportunity to appear in court.
Earlier, Olagunju gave an update on the court’s ruling ordering the police to return items seized from the protesters during the January 28 protest.
He told the court that the police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, had released some of the items but claimed they could not locate a laptop belonging to the disc jockey whose equipment was confiscated on the day of the protest.
According to Olagunju, the police had only partially complied with the order, as the laptop remained missing.
Speaking after the proceedings, Soweto described the case as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
He said the absence of the police prosecutor and their witnesses reinforced his belief that the prosecution had no case against them.
Soweto said the demolition of Makoko and the eviction of residents of other informal communities in Lagos, including Owode Onirin, Ajegunle, Oworonshoki and Otumara, were the reasons for the protest. He added that they would mobilise again if the government continued with what he described as its anti-people policies.
Soweto disclosed that the police only returned between 80 and 90 per cent of the seized items last Friday, after what he described as prolonged delays in complying with the court’s order. However, he said the DJ’s laptop remained missing.
“The police have not said it’s not in their possession; obviously, they cannot say that. What they are saying now is that they are still looking for it,” Soweto said, demanding that the police release the laptop.
He said the laptop was an essential tool for the DJ’s livelihood and that its continued absence diminished the value of the other equipment that had been returned, including the truck and sound system.
He also reiterated the protesters’ opposition to the demolition and eviction of residents of informal settlements in Lagos, arguing that poor and working-class people had a right to live and work in the state.
Soweto berated the Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat who told young low-incone residents to consider living with their parents. He said the government ought to copy from the policies of ex-Governor Lateef Jakande who built affordable and decent housing for low-income residents.
