• Coalition seeks probe of tear gas use against protesters
A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting at Yaba, yesterday, adjourned the trial of activists, Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank till April 24, 2026.

The defendants were arraigned by the Lagos State Police Command over their alleged involvement in a protest against illegal demolitions, forcible evictions and land grabbing.

When the matter came up yesterday, the second defendant, Frank, was absent from court due to illness.

The prosecution counsel, Anthony Ihiehie, requested a bench warrant against him, arguing that no hospital report was submitted to confirm his illness.

The prosecutor also noted that this was the first court appearance since the defendant was granted bail, lamenting that his absence was troubling.

But the defendants’ counsel, O.C. Olagunju, pleaded with the court, explaining that the absence of the second defendant was not deliberate. He said he was only informed this morning that Frank had fallen ill.

The defence urged the court to excuse his absence for the day, stressing that the defendant would unfailingly appearing in court subsequently to defend himself.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs I.O. Alaka, gave the second defendant the benefit of the doubt and declined the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant.

Outside the court, the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Evictions, Land Grabbing and Displacements in Lagos, briefed newsmen, expressing solidarity with Soweto and Frank, as well as with displaced communities across Lagos.

The coalition called for an investigation into the events of January 28, when the police allegedly fired tear gas at thousands of protesters who marched against forced evictions, arrested Soweto.

And Frank, and subjected them to torture before filing what the group described as baseless charges, including allegations of singing abusive songs.

They also urged the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to sanitise the police force by investigating the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, over alleged abuses and deaths linked to officers under his command during the demolition of communities across the state.

The coalition further thanked the presiding judge for showing restraint and understanding by declining to issue a bench warrant against a sick defendant. They assured the court that Frank would be present at the next hearing.

Also, Soweto commended the magistrate for declining the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant against the second defendant.

“We thank the magistrate who rejected the proposal of the prosecutor that a man who is sick, a man who is unable to come to court because he is sick, not because he is afraid of trial, should have a bench warrant issued on him,” Soweto said.

He maintained that the defendant was not afraid of the trial and assured the court that he (Frank) would be present on the next adjourned date.

Soweto, however, described the case as a sham trial, alleging that authorities were attempting to silence activists who challenge policies of the Lagos government.

He criticised the demolition of homes in poor communities, citing past incidents in Makoko and Oworonshoki.

According to him, development should not come at the expense of vulnerable residents.

“We believe development is possible without pain, dispossession or displacement,” he said, insisting that activists would continue to oppose policies they consider anti-poor.