A youth leader from the Makoko waterfront community, Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, has been arraigned before a Lagos State mobile court over allegations of conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, following protests against the ongoing demolition of homes in the area.

Mr. Aide was taken on Wednesday to the mobile court sitting at the Lagos State Taskforce office in Oshodi, where he is expected to be formally charged. Sources familiar with the case described the charges as politically motivated, accusing the Lagos State Government of criminalising peaceful dissent.

According to a source, Mr. Aide’s arrest and prosecution stem from his role in leading protests against what residents described as an illegal extension of demolition activities beyond an agreed 30-metre setback from an electricity installation in the community.

“Oluwatobi Aide has been brought before a mobile court on trumped-up charges simply for protesting the unlawful demolition of homes belonging to poor residents of Makoko by the Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government,” the source said.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Lagos State Police Command concluded plans to arraign Mr. Aide on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, following his arrest by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Sources disclosed that the prosecution was authorised by the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.

Mr. Aide was arrested on Sunday, January 11, during a protest by residents who questioned why the demolition exceeded what had allegedly been agreed upon between the government and the community.

“He was arrested simply for speaking up and asking questions,” a source said. “Since then, he has been treated like a criminal.”

Concerns have also been raised about Mr. Aide’s health while in detention. Sources revealed that he had been hospitalised two weeks earlier after inhaling tear gas allegedly fired into the community during previous demolition exercises.

On Monday night, while in custody at the Area F Police Division in Ikeja, he reportedly fell ill again, suffering severe reactions attributed to mosquito bites and poor detention conditions. He was later rushed to a hospital by RRS operatives after his condition deteriorated.

A source added that police officers initially demanded that Mr. Aide pay for his medical treatment, but later agreed to cover the costs following pressure from activists before returning him to detention.

Tensions reportedly escalated on Tuesday when an RRS commander allegedly accused Mr. Aide of feigning illness and demanded that he apologise to the Lagos State Government and sign an undertaking pledging never to participate in protests again.

“When he refused, they insisted he would be charged to court as a warning to others,” the source said.

Meanwhile, several civil society organisations have condemned both the demolition exercise and the prosecution of the community leader. Groups including the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEEHOPE) Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) alleged that at least three people — including two infants and a 70-year-old woman — have died since demolitions began on January 5.

“Shelter is a human right,” the organisations said in a joint statement. “No one should be arrested or killed for defending their right to a home.”

Supporters of Mr. Aide say legal efforts are underway to secure his release, with lawyer Joseph Opute leading the defence team.