Federal High Court Orders Remand of Lagos Assembly Workers Over Alleged DSS Assault

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of three Lagos State House of Assembly staff members for allegedly assaulting operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) while they were on official duty.

Justice Daniel Osiagor issued the order on Tuesday, mandating the detention of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola ahead of their arraignment scheduled for Wednesday.

The DSS has charged the trio with offences related to the alleged assault of its officials without justification. The agency also accused them of cyberstalking, alleging that they recorded and disseminated misleading information on social media with the intent to undermine national security.

According to the DSS, the accused individuals willfully misdirected electronic messages to social media platforms to discredit its officials. The alleged incident took place on February 17 at the Lagos Assembly complex.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, DSS counsel Michael Bajela sought to arraign the accused workers immediately. However, Justice Osiagor insisted on reviewing the case file before proceeding.

The case stems from a widely circulated video on social media, purportedly showing DSS operatives forcefully entering the Lagos Assembly complex and engaging in a physical altercation with lawmakers. The footage sparked public outrage and widespread debate.

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Further reports clarified that the DSS was officially invited to the Assembly by the acting clerk following intelligence that ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa intended to forcefully resume office on February 18. The House leadership deemed Obasa’s return a security threat and requested DSS intervention.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has remained in the spotlight since Obasa’s controversial removal as Speaker on January 13 while he was out of the country. Following his removal, Mojisola Meranda was elected as the new Speaker. However, upon his return, Obasa rejected his ouster, insisting that due process was not followed and declaring himself the rightful Speaker.