The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has rejected what it described as misleading reports about a protest by Makoko residents at the Assembly complex, saying demonstrators refused dialogue and attempted to force their way into the premises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Assembly was responding to a report alleging that police used teargas on anti-demolition protesters at the complex and arrested activist Hassan Soweto.
According to the Assembly, the incident occurred at a time when lawmakers were officially on recess, contrary to claims that legislators ignored the protesters’ actions.
Despite the recess, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, said he mobilised four lawmakers who were present within the complex to engage the protesters after learning of their presence at the gate.
The Assembly said the lawmakers informed the protesters that the House was not in session, but assured them their grievances could be received peacefully at the gate and escalated through appropriate channels.
However, the statement said protesters rejected this approach and insisted on gaining entry into the Assembly complex, an action that violated security protocols governing the legislative premises.
The Assembly further alleged that the situation escalated when an activist, identified as Taiwo Hassan, also known as Hassan Soweto, became verbally abusive during the engagement. It accused him of directing inflammatory and defamatory remarks at lawmakers and the Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, who was present to maintain order.
According to the statement, security operatives intervened only to prevent a breakdown of law and order as the crowd became increasingly unruly and attempts were made to breach the complex.
The Assembly stressed that it did not order the use of teargas, authorise any arrests, or direct the use of force against protesters, adding that lawmakers withdrew from the scene on the advice of the police to avoid further escalation.
It also dismissed claims that “live ammunition” was used, describing such allegations as false and unsupported by evidence.
On the wider issue of demolitions in Makoko, the Assembly said matters relating to infrastructure safety and demolitions fall under executive and regulatory authorities, not the legislature. It added that previous assurances given to residents were commitments to intervene through legislative processes, which could not take place during a recess.
The Lagos State House of Assembly said it remains committed to peaceful civic engagement and dialogue, but warned that attempts to breach secured government facilities and the spread of misinformation could not be justified as protest.
