Lagos Assembly Crisis Deepens, DSS Releases Lawmakers

The last may not have been heard about the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly that led to the removal of its former speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, as two of its members, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, was on Thursday held at the Department of State Security(DSS) office in the state.

LEADERSHIP Friday reliably gathered from sources within the Assembly that the two lawmakers were being interrogated in connection with breaking into the office of the Clerk of the House to pick up the mace used in removing Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

The embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, insisted that he remains the legitimate speaker of the Assembly because his Impeachment is not constitutional and did not follow due process.

Obasa was removed by 35 out of the 40 assembly members on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds and replaced with his former Deputy, Rt. Hon Mojisola Lawal-Meranda.

In a show of solidarity with colleagues invited by the DSS based on a petition said to have been submitted to the security agency, Deputy Speaker Hon. Mojeed Fatai, along with several other members, visited the DSS office to secure the release of their colleagues.

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A source within DSS confirmed the detention of the two lawmakers in their custody but said one of the detainees had been released on health grounds.

Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly who left the DSS facility Thursday night after the security agency quizzed them insisted that the former speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, was legally removed as speaker.

The lawmakers, in a statement signed by Hon Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, said,” Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly honoured an invitation from the Lagos Command of Department of State Services (DSS) in Shangisha. We visited the DSS to provide insights into the situation regarding the removal of the ex-speaker.

“At the DSS office, we reaffirmed our commitment to upholding constitutional governance following the removal of the former Speaker. The decision was made by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act, which empowers the State Assembly to regulate its internal proceedings without external interference. Sections 92 and 96 outline the process for the election and removal of the Speaker, and due process was followed in our decision.

“It is also in public knowledge that legislative autonomy was granted to state Assemblies, ensuring that elected representatives can conduct their business freely within the chambers assigned to them.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly, as an independent arm of government, has exercised its constitutional duty in the best interest of the people of Lagos. The decision to remove the former Speaker was made through a democratic process, with the required majority as stipulated by law. Any attempt to challenge this lawful action undermines the authority granted to us by the Nigerian Constitution.

“We commend the professionalism of the DSS office in their friendly invitation. We appreciate the Lagos DSS Command, especially the Director, for ensuring a smooth and respectful engagement. The process allowed us to recount events straightforwardly in a comfortable and professional environment.

“All members of the Assembly who were detained earlier have now regained their freedom.”

They reiterated their commitment to legislative duties that serve the interests of Lagosians, ensuring effective governance and the continued development of the state.