DSS Storms Lagos Assembly, Seals Speaker, Deputy’s Offices Amid Leadership Crisis

Ikeja, Lagos State – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly in the early hours of Monday, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the Clerk of the House.

It was gathered that about 10 a.m., armed security personnel had taken over the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, conducting thorough checks on passersby and restricting movement within the complex.

Vanguard reports that despite the heavy security presence, Meranda arrived at the Assembly with her convoy around 11:15 a.m.

The operation comes amid a deepening political crisis over the controversial removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa, who was ousted on January 13, 2025, while on a trip to the United States, has challenged his removal in court.

The embattled lawmaker has described his removal as a “coup,” a sentiment reportedly echoed by President Bola Tinubu.

Obasa has filed a lawsuit at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, seeking to overturn his removal.

The suit, filed by his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Afolabi Fashanu, names the Lagos State House of Assembly and Speaker Mojisola Meranda as defendants.

In the motion filed on February 12, 2025, Obasa is requesting an accelerated hearing of the case and an order to fast-track the legal process.

He is seeking court orders to limit the response time for the defendants to seven days and to allow him to file replies within three days of receiving their responses.

The unfolding leadership crisis has caused divisions within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the top decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

While some members support Obasa’s removal, others question its legality.

Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, which primarily involve the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The suit reads in part: “This application concerns the interpretation of Sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), in relation to ORDER V, RULE 18(2), and ORDER II, RULE 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) of the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly (which carry constitutional weight and status).

The case challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, during which the Plaintiff, as the Honourable Speaker, was allegedly impeached.

“This action questions the legality of the House sitting during its recess without the Speaker reconvening the session or authorizing anyone else to do so.

Given the public interest, it is crucial for the case to be heard and resolved swiftly to prevent disruption of legislative activities in the state.

The ongoing sitting of the 1st defendant under the current leadership, in violation of the relevant laws and rules, necessitates urgent determination.

“Due to the exceptional circumstances of this case, it is imperative that it be heard and decided quickly.

“However, there is a need to shorten the time frame for the Defendants to file their response to the originating summons and for the claimant/Applicant to file a reply on points of law.

“This Honourable Court possesses the inherent power to grant an expedited hearing and shorten the time for filing.

“Granting an accelerated hearing and reducing the time for filing relevant processes is in the interest of justice.”

Obasa argued that none of the parties involved would suffer any harm or injustice from the granting of his application.