A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting at Yaba has adjourned the trial involving an activist, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, and Dele Frank to October 26, 2026, over the January 28, 2026 demonstration against the demolition of Makoko and eviction of residents of other informal communities in Lagos State.

The adjournment followed the absence of the police prosecutor and prosecution witnesses when the matter came up for trial.

The defendants’ counsel, O.C. Olagunju, during the proceeding yesterday, said that an application would be made to strike out the case if the prosecution failed to appear on the next adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the police have released most of the seized items on the order of the court but have yet to release the DJ’s laptop.

Soweto, who spoke after the proceedings, said the matter had been adjourned on May 28 for the commencement of trial, noting that proceedings since the defendants were arraigned on January 29 had been preliminary.

The case, according to him, arose from a protest held on January 28 against the demolition of Makoko and eviction of residents of other informal communities, including Owode-Onirin Ajegunle and Oworonshoki.

He alleged that the protesters were heavily attacked and repressed by the police, resulting in injuries and seizure of personal belongings and equipment of the protesters.

Soweto said the defendants had recovered between 80 and 90 per cent of the items seized by the police, following an earlier court order directing their release.

He, however, said the laptop belonging to DJ remained in police custody, urging officials of the Panti Police Station and the new Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to ensure that the laptop was released.

Soweto also said that the defendants remained undeterred by the trial, insisting on what he described as the right of the poor and working-class people to live in Lagos State.