Security personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police invaded the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the early hours of Monday.
According to Vanguard, the DSS operatives locked up the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk.
Armed officers were also stationed around the premises in Alausa, Ikeja, stopping and searching passersby.
Despite the situation, Meranda arrived at the Assembly with her convoy at around 11:15 a.m.
The incident follows the recent removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was ousted while he was in the United States.
His removal, backed by 32 out of 40 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, has been described as controversial.
In response, Obasa has filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court, challenging the legitimacy of his impeachment and requesting an urgent hearing.
Obasa argued that his removal did not follow constitutional procedures and has asked the court to speed up proceedings to prevent disruptions to legislative activities.
The suit filed by Obasa reads partly: “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);
“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.”
The court is expected to rule on the matter in the coming days.
