Operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly in the early hours of Monday.
Reports indicate that the DSS sealed off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk of the house.
Armed security personnel took control of the premises in Alausa, Ikeja, around 10 am, preventing passersby from entering.
Meranda and her convoy reportedly arrived at approximately 11:15 am.
This incident follows a lawsuit filed by the embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, challenging his removal from office.
The suit alleges, in part: “This application is predicated on the interpretation of Sections 36; 90; 92(2)(c); 101 and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) in relation to ORDER V RULE 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) of the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which possess constitutional significance.
“The action questions the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly on 13th January 2025, during which the Plaintiff, as Honourable Speaker, was allegedly impeached.
“This challenge addresses the legality of the Assembly’s sitting during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or conferring such authority on another party.
“Public interest necessitates an expedited hearing and resolution of this case to prevent a halt in legislative activities in the State.
“The legality of the current leadership’s continued sitting, in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules, demands urgent clarification.
“The nature of this action calls for a prompt hearing given the exceptional circumstances.
“There is a need to reduce the time allocated for the Defendants to file their responses to the originating summons, as well as the time for the Claimant/Applicant to reply on points of law.
“This Honourable Court possesses the inherent authority to grant accelerated hearing and time reduction;
“Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate an accelerated hearing in this case and abridge the timeframe for parties to submit the necessary documents in the interests of justice.”
