The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for an independent investigation into the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare Moshood, following allegations that he supervised and personally participated in the torture of human rights activist, Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as Soweto.

Soweto was arrested on January 28, 2026, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force at the entrance of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, where he led hundreds of residents from displaced communities including Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba-Ijora in a peaceful protest against the demolition of their homes.

The activist has accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of actively joining other officers in subjecting him to physical abuse while in custody.

In a statement issued on Friday, RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, condemned what he described as the alleged torture and inhuman treatment of Soweto, particularly the reported involvement of the state’s police chief.

RULAAC said photographs circulating in the public domain showing injuries allegedly sustained by Soweto, combined with his detailed account of events, raise serious concerns about excessive use of force, torture and abuse of authority by police officers.

The organisation warned that if the allegations are substantiated, they would amount to grave violations of Nigeria’s legal and constitutional framework, including the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty and fair hearing.

According to RULAAC, the alleged actions would also contravene the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which mandates professionalism, restraint and respect for human rights; the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which expressly prohibits torture and denial of access to legal counsel; as well as Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

RULAAC stressed that peaceful protest remains a constitutionally protected right and not a criminal offence, warning that the use of force to suppress civic action signals a dangerous erosion of democratic space and public participation.

The group also expressed concern over allegations that Soweto was denied access to his lawyers and family members and that his whereabouts were concealed from civil society actors following his arrest, describing such conduct as inconsistent with lawful arrest and detention procedures.

Given the gravity of the allegations and the seniority of the officer implicated, RULAAC called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to immediately institute an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the matter.

The organisation urged the PSC to examine medical reports, photographs of injuries, custody records and CCTV footage where available, ensure accountability and appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations are proven, and issue clear directives reinforcing the prohibition of torture, denial of legal access and repression of peaceful protest.

RULAAC noted that this is not the first time allegations of police brutality have emerged in connection with peaceful protests in Lagos, underscoring the urgent need for stronger institutional oversight and accountability.

“Public confidence in policing cannot be sustained through denial or intimidation. It is sustained only through truth, accountability and adherence to the rule of law,” the statement said.

RULAAC added that it would continue to monitor developments closely and expressed solidarity with citizens exercising their lawful rights to peaceful assembly and expression.