- Court Adjourns Trial Of Soweto, Dele Frank Over Makoko Protest
- Falana seeks release of items seized during demonstration
- Defendants insist protest was lawful and within constitutional rights
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, on Monday, April 27, 2026, adjourned the trial of activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank to May 8, 2026, over their alleged involvement in the January 28 protest against demolitions in Makoko.
The presiding magistrate, I.O. Alaka, also reserved ruling on an application seeking the release of items seized during the demonstration.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the case arose from a protest organised by residents and activists against the Lagos State Government’s demolition exercise in Makoko and other waterfront communities.
Despite the charges, the defendants maintained that they were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
At the resumed hearing, human rights lawyer Femi Falana appeared alongside Tomi Olagunju for the defence.
Falana urged the court to order the release of items allegedly confiscated by the police, including a generator, DJ equipment, a first aid box and bags containing cash and flight tickets.
Opening his application, Falana said it was filed pursuant to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
He argued that the court had the authority to order the release of seized property in the interest of justice.
“The prosecution ought to have filed a report identifying these items seized and what to do with them under Section 5, Subsection 4. That has not been done. They do not want the court to intervene. I urge the court, therefore, to order the release of these items on bond,” Falana said.
Falana further told the court that one of the seized bags contained ₦15,000, while another held two flight tickets valued at ₦30,000 each.
“These are materials that this honourable court can ask us to produce whenever the case comes up for trial,” he added.
He noted that although the police had released the vehicle used by the DJ on the grounds that it was a source of livelihood, the equipment remained in custody.
Falana maintained that since the items had not been tendered as exhibits, they should be released to their owners on bond, with a commitment to produce them whenever required.
