A Lagos Magistrate Court has granted bail to two protesters arrested during demonstrations against recent demolitions in parts of the state.
The protesters, Hassan Soweto and Dele Frank, were brought before Justice A.I.O. Alaka at the Yaba Magistrate Court on Thursday following their arrest by the police.
The Lagos State Police Command had earlier taken the two activists into custody after a protest held by residents affected by demolitions in areas including Oworonshoki, Makoko and Owode Onirin.
During the protest on Wednesday, security operatives dispersed the crowd with tear gas as the procession moved toward the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to court documents, the police accused the two protesters of committing five offences linked to the demonstration.
The charges included conspiracy to commit felony, attempt to cause breach of peace, threats against members of the public, obstruction of traffic and singing abusive songs directed at the police and the Lagos State government.
When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their lawyer, Femi Falana, asked the court to grant bail under fair conditions.
He argued that the arrest and prosecution of the protesters violated their constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly as provided under Nigerian law.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Alaka granted each defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each.
The court also ordered that the two protesters be released into the custody of their lawyer, who was directed to present them again on Friday to complete the bail process.
The matter was later adjourned to March 3, 2026, for further hearing.
The protest that led to their arrest was organised by residents displaced by demolition exercises carried out in waterfront and inner-city communities such as Makoko, Otumara, Baba Ijora and Owode Onirin.
Many of the affected residents said the demolitions left families homeless and worsened their living conditions.
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