Nigeria, March 17 -- A McGill University, Canada, lecturer Richard Janda, has called on the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian police to withdraw charges against two activists involved in a peaceful protest against forced evictions in Lagos waterfront communities.

Richard Janda, an associate professor at McGill's Faculty of Law, wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Lagos State, Babajide Martins, demanding the immediate termination of the charges against Hassan Taiwo, who is known as Soweto, and Dele Frank. Both are facing charges over their participation in the protest on 28 January, against the demolition and forced eviction of residents.

The protest was held at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Alausa, Ikeja, ...