THE CAMPAIGN for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has accused the Lagos State Police Command of defying a court order directing it to release property seized from protesters during a January 2026 demonstration.
In a statement signed by its National Chairperson, Comrade Rufus Olusesan, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Bosah, CDWR said the Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba had ordered the police on May 8, 2026, to release the seized property.
According to the group, the order was issued by Magistrate I. O. Alaka despite opposition from the police. CDWR alleged that the property has nevertheless remained in police custody, with repeated administrative explanations being given whenever representatives seek the release of the property.
The organisation said the items were seized following a January 28, 2026 protest in Lagos against demolitions and alleged land grabbing that affected residents in communities including Makoko, Owode-Onirin and Oworonshoki.
CDWR alleged that the protesters were peacefully expressing opposition to the demolition of houses belonging to poor residents when armed policemen intervened.
The group specifically accused the then Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, now an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, of leading the police operation. It alleged that officers fired teargas at the protesters, causing injuries, while two protesters, Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Dele Frank, were arrested and subsequently charged.
The police authorities have not, in the statement provided, responded to the allegations made by CDWR.
The organisation also criticised the current leadership of the Lagos State Police Command, accusing Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Dayo Akinbisehin, of failing to enforce the court order.
CDWR alleged that several attempts to secure the release of the property had been frustrated by what it described as bureaucratic manoeuvring within the police command.
According to the group, officials have cited various reasons for the delay, including the alleged absence of signatures from legal and senior police officers, the unavailability of the officer in charge and the absence of a storekeeper.
The organisation said the continued detention of the property was particularly damaging because some of the seized items were electronic gadgets and other equipment used by the protesters to earn a living.
CDWR argued that the prolonged retention of the items had deprived some of the affected individuals of their means of economic survival since the January 28 protest.
Describing the situation as a violation of the authority of the court, the organisation called for the immediate release of all property covered by the May 8 order.
It also demanded that the police discontinue the prosecution of Soweto and Frank and withdraw what it described as trumped-up charges against the two protesters.
“CDWR condemns this reckless violation of court order and the continued seizure and detention of protesters’ property,” the organisation said, while urging the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the SCID leadership to comply with the court’s directive.
The group further called for an end to what it described as police brutality against peaceful protesters, stressing that citizens should be able to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression without unlawful seizure of their property or prolonged detention.
The allegations contained in the statement remain claims by CDWR, and the account of events would require a response from the Lagos State Police Command and other relevant authorities for a full account of the dispute.
