The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the detained members of the Lagos State House of Assembly after hours of interrogation over their roles in the speakership crisis.
The Chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe, confirmed the release of the lawmakers in Lagos on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Two lawmakers, Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island 2), and Sylvester Ogunkelu were detained on Thursday morning by DSS officials in the state.
The lawmakers were interrogated over the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, by a majority of members on January 13. He was immediately replaced by Mojisola Meranda.
They were detained for allegedly breaking into a House store where the mace was kept, enabling lawmakers to sit, impeach, and remove Obasa from his position as speaker..
In solidarity, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai and other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their colleagues’ release.
Confirming the development, Ogundipe disclosed that all detained lawmakers had regained their freedom.
He said the House reaffirmed that Obasa’s removal was legal and constitutional, following due process.
The lawmaker said: “Today (Thursday) 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 empowered 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.”
Ogundipe insisted that Obasa’s removal was democratic and met the required legal majority.
He added that any challenge to the lawful action undermines the constitutional authority granted to the House.
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