ANTI-DEMOLITION PROTEST: COURT GRANTS SOWETO, DELE FRANK N200,000 BAIL EACH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos has granted bail to two organisers of the January 28 anti-demolition protest, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Soweto, and Dele Frank, following their arraignment by the police.

The defendants were charged with five counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Proceedings witnessed a brief legal drama when renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, announced his appearance for the defendants. The prosecution objected, citing a purported 2025 Oyo State court ruling allegedly barring Senior Advocates of Nigeria from appearing before lower courts.

Falana countered the objection, arguing that the 1999 Constitution and the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court Law permit any qualified legal practitioner to appear before the court, irrespective of rank.

In her ruling, Magistrate I.O. Alaka upheld Falana’s argument, holding that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria does not preclude a lawyer from appearing before a magistrate court.

The court subsequently granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to March 11, 2026.

Following an appeal by Falana, the magistrate also allowed the defendants to return to court on Thursday to perfect their bail conditions.