Tag: Lagos Assembly staff

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of three employees of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) over allegations of assaulting DSS officers.

The defendants—Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola—were named in charge FHC/L/273C/2025, dated February 24, 2025. The DSS accused them and others still at large of conspiring to obstruct and assault security officers while they were on duty.

Justice Daniel Osiagor ordered their remand after DSS counsel Michael Bajela sought their arraignment. However, the judge opted to review the case file first. The trio will remain in DSS custody pending their arraignment tomorrow.

According to the charges, the alleged offence took place on February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly. The DSS claims the defendants aided in obstructing officers without any lawful excuse. 

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They were also accused of cyberstalking, including recording and disseminating false information on social media to incite public disorder.

The agency further alleged that Olanrewaju and Adekunle used an iPhone 12 Pro Max, while Adekunle also used a Techno POP 8, to spread misleading content aimed at embarrassing the DSS and disrupting public order.

The offences violate Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and several provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024.

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Lagos State Chapter, has strongly condemned the detention of three Lagos State House of Assembly staff members by the Department of State Security Services (DSS).

The detained staff, including two Sergeants-at-Arms officers and a public affairs officer, were arrested on February 17, 2025, for preventing DSS officials from entering the chamber with firearms, which is against House norms.

PASAN chairman, Comrade Babatunde Ogunlana, described the arrest, detention, and trial of the staff members as an abuse of power and a gross violation of their rights.

He demanded their immediate release and called for a thorough investigation into their arrest, torture, and continued detention to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The association urged the DSS to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of the affected staff. They also called for the intervention of the Director-General of the DSS, the Governor of Lagos State, and civil society organizations to address the situation.

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Concerns have been raised about the health and safety of the detained staff members, particularly since one of them has asthma.

He said: “The continued detention of our members raises genuine concerns for the health and safety of the affected staff one of whom is asthmatic.”

The association stated that the prosecution of its members was worrisome and unnecessary, subjecting them to psychological trauma.

They urged all relevant authorities to take immediate action to address the situation before it escalates.

In a related development, the chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe has assured that the lawmakers are working assiduously for the release of the detained staff.