A feared breakdown of law and order may have been averted at the Lagos State House of Assembly as operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, were quickly deployed to the Assembly ahead of plenary on Tuesday at the request of the management.

The Clerk confirmed on Monday, February 17 that the lawmakers asked for the deployment to avert an alleged attempt of the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to forcibly return to the position of speaker.

The tussle for the position of the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly has continued covertly and was alleged to spill open at plenary this week.

Contrary to reports that DSS officers stormed the Assembly, sealing offices of the Speaker and his deputy, the Clerk confirmed Monday that it was the Assembly that invited security agents to maintain order.

In a letter dated February 14, 2025, the Assembly management reported to security agencies in Lagos that there were plans to forcefully reinstate the impeached speaker of the state assembly on the 18th of February, 2025.

The Assembly management found this “a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members,” and requested for improved security.

The letter, with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, was signed by the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, A. T. B. Ottun and addressed to the DSS State Director and all the heads of other security agencies in Lagos State.

Titled, URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES, the Acting Clerk reported: “I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.”

The letter alleged that the impeached Speaker planed to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.

“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday 16th February, 2025 by increasing the presence of your men and as well observe a strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice. We look forward to your prompt attention Sir. Thank you.”

Obasa had on February 12 approached the court to challenge what he described as illegal removal as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He sued the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, claiming that the lawmakers were wrong to have removed him when the Assembly was on recess.

In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel, Afolabi Fashanu, senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN, sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit.

He was out of the country when he was removed as speaker on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers.

Obasa’s application is predicated on nine grounds: 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 the Lagos State House of Assembly.

His suit “challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.”

He argued for expeditious hearing. “Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are 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.

“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.”

A date has not been fixed for hearing.