Lawmakers in Lagos State House of Assembly have declared that the removal of the immediate past Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was legal, lawful and constitutional.
Obasa was removed on January 13 while he was in the United States (US).
Hon. Mojisola Meranda was immediately elected to replace him.
The embattled former Speaker had written a petition to the DSS concerning the process of his removal, leading to the detention of legislators who had honoured an invitation by the agency.
All the members earlier detained by the DSS have since regained their freedom.
Obasa declared that his removal was illegal, null and void as his colleagues in the Assembly did not follow due process.
However, the lawmakers have insisted that their action “is legally binding”.
They stated this while responding to an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos.
According to a statement by Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, on behalf of the Lagos State Assembly, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility as an independent branch of government with the best interests of the people of Lagos in mind.
“The decision to remove the former Speaker was reached through a democratic process, with the necessary majority as outlined by law. Any efforts to contest this legitimate action undermine the authority granted by the Nigerian Constitution.”
The legislators stated that Obasa’s removal was consistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act.
These empower the State Assembly to manage its internal affairs without external interference.
According to them, Sections 92 and 96 detailed the procedures for electing and removing the Speaker, and their decision adhered to these guidelines.
They also noted that it was widely known that legislative autonomy has been granted to State Assemblies, allowing elected representatives to operate independently within their designated chambers.
Some members of the Lagos Assembly were detained by the DSS and questioned regarding matters concerning the legislative body.
In response, additional Assembly members visited them on Thursday.
However, after their visit, the lawmakers reported that their colleagues who were summoned for questioning had been released.
The lawmaker announced that all previously detained Assembly members has been released and praised the professionalism of the DSS.
The statement expressed gratitude to the Lagos DSS Command, particularly “acknowledging the Director for facilitating a smooth and respectful interaction”.
About 30 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly stormed the Department of state security office at Magodo area in Lagos Thursday following the invitation of two members, Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu and Hon. Lanre Afinni for questioning.
