By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 17th february, 2025
In the early hours of Monday, February 17, 2025, security personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force invaded the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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Already, there are indications that the first notable causalty from this saga has emerged. According to reports undergoing fact-checking presently, it said that, “Following the role of the Lagos State Police Command in the ongoing crisis of the Speakership tussle at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Police Service Commission has with immediate effect ordered the removal of the incumbent Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP Lanre Ishola, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.” CP Moshood Jimoh has been appointment as replacement effective immediately.
According to earlier news reports, the DSS operatives locked up the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk. Additionally, armed officers were also stationed around the premises in Alausa, Ikeja, stopping and searching passersby.
Despite the situation, Speaker Meranda arrived at the Assembly with her convoy at around 11:15 a.m.
This incident follows the recent impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and mismanagement of funds. Obasa, who was in the United States at the time, was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, marking the first time a female has held the position in Lagos State.
Obasa has since challenged the legitimacy of his impeachment, arguing that due process was not followed and that the allegations against him are unsubstantiated. He has filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court, seeking an urgent hearing to prevent disruptions to legislative activities.
Excerpts from the suit reads: “This application is predicated among which he stated the suit 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) vis-à-vis ORDER V RULE 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) OF RULES AND STANDING ORDER OF LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (which enjoy constitutional flavour and status);
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“The action borders on the constitutionality or otherwise of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly of the 13th January 2025 where the Plaintiff herein, as Honourable Speaker was said to be impeached.
“This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.
“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the State is not stalled.
“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination;
“The nature of this action is such that is required to be heard and determined expeditiously having regard to the exceptional circumstances surrounding same;
“There is need to abridge the time within which the Defendants may file their response to the originating summon as well as time within which the claimant/Applicant may file its reply on point of law; and
“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgement of time; and
“It is expedient to grant accelerated hearing of this action and abridgement of time for parties to file the relevant processes in the interest of justice.”
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While the court is expected to rule on the matter in the coming days, the presence of security operatives at the Assembly complex has raised concerns about the stability of the legislative arm in Lagos State.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these events will impact the governance and political landscape of the state as ominous signs of disaffection and disaster for the ruling party are obvious to any open eye, as observers try to discern the body language of president Tinubu.