DSS and police sealed the offices of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mojisola Meranda and others, following a legal battle over Mudashiru Obasa's controversial removal. Obasa has filed a suit challenging the legality of his impeachment, seeking urgent court hearings to resolve constitutional concerns and prevent legislative disruptions.
In a dramatic development early Monday, officers from the Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Police took control of the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the Assembly's clerk. By 10 a.m., armed security personnel had surrounded the premises in Alausa, Ikeja, stopping pedestrians for searches.
Meranda, who arrived with her convoy around 11:15 a.m., faced a tense atmosphere, which followed the legal battle over the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. On January 13, 2025, Obasa was ousted by 32 out of 40 Assembly members while abroad. This controversial move led Obasa to challenge the legality of his impeachment in a suit filed at the Ikeja High Court. Obasa is seeking an expedited hearing, citing constitutional issues surrounding his removal and the Assembly's proceedings.
Obasa’s suit names both the Assembly and Meranda as defendants, arguing that his ousting violated several constitutional provisions, including the Rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He contends that the legislative actions of January 13 were unconstitutional, and his case requires swift resolution to avoid disrupting the state's legislative activities. Additionally, Obasa seeks an accelerated legal process to address these constitutional concerns.
The situation has intensified political divisions within the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC), with some factions divided over the removal. This legal and political conflict continues to unfold, drawing attention to the state's governance and legislative processes.
