DSS releases arrested Lagos lawmakers

The Lagos State House of Assembly has confirmed that the State Security Service (SSS, also called DSS) has released detained lawmakers after hours of interrogation over the speakership crisis

The Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

NAN reports that two lawmakers, Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island 2) and Sylvester Ogunkelu, were detained on Thursday morning by SSS officials in the state.

The lawmakers were interrogated over the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was ousted by a majority of members on 13 January and replaced by Mojisola Meranda.

They were allegedly detained for breaking into a House store where the mace was kept, enabling lawmakers to sit and remove the former speaker.

In solidarity, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai and other members stormed the SSS office to secure their colleagues’ release.

Confirming the development, Mr Ogundipe told NAN that all detained lawmakers had now regained their freedom.

He said the Assembly reaffirmed that Mr Obasa’s removal was legal and constitutional, following due process.

“Today, members of the Lagos Assembly honoured an invitation from the Lagos DSS Command in Shangisha. We provided insights into the removal of the ex-speaker.

“At the DSS office, we reaffirmed our commitment to upholding constitutional governance following his removal.

“The decision followed the 1999 Constitution and the Powers and Privileges Act, which empower the Assembly to regulate its internal proceedings without interference.

“Sections 92 and 96 outline the process for electing and removing the speaker, and we adhered to due process.

“It is public knowledge that legislative autonomy allows state assemblies to conduct their business freely within designated chambers,” he said.

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