DSS and Police Raid Lagos State House of Assembly

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday morning, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), supported by the Nigeria Police, raided the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her Deputy, and the Clerk of the House.

The early morning operation has sent shockwaves through political circles in Lagos. By 10 AM, armed security personnel had taken control of the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, and were conducting thorough searches of passersby. Speaker Meranda arrived around 11:15 AM with her convoy, though the reasons behind the raid remain unclear.

Sources suggest that the action is connected to rising tensions within the Assembly, particularly following the controversial removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, an event some have referred to as a “coup.” Obasa, who was in the U.S. at the time of his removal, has since filed a lawsuit at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, challenging the legality of his ousting and requesting an expedited hearing.

In his suit, Obasa contends that the proceedings leading to his removal violated constitutional provisions, including Sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He argues that the sitting and actions of the Assembly on January 13 were unconstitutional, particularly because the House was reconvened during a recess without the Speaker’s authorization.

Obasa’s application calls for urgent legal intervention, stating: “Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined swiftly to avoid a halt in legislative activities in the state.” He is seeking an expedited hearing, stressing the importance of resolving the matter in a timely manner to avoid further disruption.

The controversy over Obasa’s removal has sparked divisions within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), a critical decision-making body within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. As legal proceedings continue, the political uncertainty surrounding the Assembly remains unresolved.