Lagos Makoko demolition : Court fixes May 8 for ruling on seized Items
The Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, has fixed May 8, 2026, to rule on an application filed by activists, Comrade Hassan ‘Soweto’ Taiwo and Comrade Dele Frank, seeking the release of items seized by the police during a protest against alleged community demolitions.
Magistrate Mrs. I.O. Alaka adjourned the matter to the said date after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution over the fate of the confiscated items.
The defendants, who are standing trial over their involvement in the January 28 protest, had approached the court through their counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, urging that the items be released to them on bond pending the determination of the case.
Falana argued that the application was anchored on provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
He maintained that the court has the discretionary power to order the release of property if it aligns with the interest of justice.
He further told the court that the police failed to file a report specifying the items seized and their intended use, as required by law.
According to him, the items which include a generator, DJ equipment, a first aid box, and bags containing N15,000 as well as flight tickets valued at N30,000 each had not been tendered as exhibits.
The senior lawyer insisted that since the materials were yet to be admitted in evidence, they should be returned to their owners with an undertaking to produce them whenever required during trial.
However, the police prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Anthony Ihiehie, opposed the application, relying on a counter-affidavit.
He argued that the legal provisions cited by the defence were applicable before arraignment and not after proceedings had commenced.
Ihiehie also warned that releasing the items could jeopardise the case, noting that they form part of the evidence and could be tampered with if returned before being formally tendered in court.
Following the submissions, Magistrate Alaka adjourned the trial and reserved ruling on the application till May 8.
Meanwhile, supporters of the defendants who gathered outside the courtroom called for their release and described the trial as unjust, insisting that the protest was peaceful and aimed at resisting alleged forced evictions in parts of Lagos.
