In a dramatic turn of events, three individuals arrested for allegedly assaulting operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Lagos State House of Assembly have been granted bail following the intervention of renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana.
SaharaReporters, through its official X handle, confirmed that the trio regained their freedom on Saturday night after Falana reached out to the Director General of the DSS. Speaking on Sunday morning, Falana stated:
> “I intervened by contacting the Director General of the State Security Service. Upon our intervention, the DG ordered that they be granted bail. They met the bail conditions and were released last night.”
The arrests stemmed from the February 18 turmoil at the Lagos State House of Assembly, following intelligence reports that loyalists of ousted Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, were allegedly planning to storm the Assembly complex and forcefully reinstate him.
Anticipating a security breach, the Lagos Assembly had, in a letter dated February 14, 2025, requested heightened security measures. The letter, signed by Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun and referenced LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, instructed the DSS to enforce strict access control at the legislative complex from February 15 “until further notice.”
However, despite the security reinforcement, tensions escalated, culminating in a confrontation between Assembly loyalists and DSS operatives. The ensuing clash reportedly led to the assault of security personnel, prompting an intense investigation.
Following a meticulous review of CCTV footage, security operatives successfully identified three suspects allegedly involved in the attack. A DSS source told THISDAY:
> “After extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects.”
The individuals apprehended include:
Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem – A photographer
Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen – Attached to the Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms
Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh – A female official linked to Assembly operations
Security operatives tracked and arrested them in different locations across Lagos during the week.
Adding a new dimension to the unfolding crisis, a leaked memo dated February 14, 2025, revealed that the Lagos Assembly had warned security agencies of a planned forceful reinstatement of Hon. Obasa. The document, addressed to the DSS Director and other security chiefs, cited credible intelligence indicating a brewing power struggle that posed a significant security threat to the Assembly and its members.
In response, DSS personnel were deployed to preempt any breakdown of law and order. However, their presence triggered resistance from certain quarters, culminating in the altercation that led to the arrests.
While the release of the arrested individuals marks a temporary relief for them, the political turmoil within the Lagos Assembly remains far from over. With allegations of power grabs, security crackdowns, and legal interventions, the situation underscores the deep-seated tensions gripping the state’s legislative arm.
As the crisis unfolds, all eyes remain on the Lagos Assembly leadership, the security apparatus, and key political figures as they navigate the volatile political landscape.
PIONEER NEWS 