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Tag: Lagos Assembly

  • Tenancy law: Lagos Assembly moves to curb arbitrary rent hikes

    Tenancy law: Lagos Assembly moves to curb arbitrary rent hikes

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015, in a bid to tackle illegal and excessive rent increases by landlords across the state.

    The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, following a motion moved by Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, who stressed the need to curb the rising trend of arbitrary rent hikes. 

    He cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which prohibits unreasonable rent increases and provides legal avenues for tenants to challenge such actions in court.

    Olumoh warned that the unchecked rent hikes were contributing to the growing number of homeless people in the state.

    Supporting the motion, Hon. Desmond Elliot noted that rent increases in his Surulere I constituency have spiked by 100 to 200 percent. 

    While acknowledging the impact of infrastructural development, he maintained that it should not justify arbitrary rent hikes. 

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly crisis: Plenary resumption unlikely soon amid ongoing litigation

    Elliot also called for a review of the two-year tenancy agreement term, as well as agency and legal fees.

    Hon. Aro Moshood decried landlords’ disregard for tenants’ income levels and criticized evictions carried out without due legal process. 

    “Many people earning minimum wage can’t even afford a room,” he said.

    Hon. Shabi Adebola urged the government to provide more low-cost housing options to cushion the effect on the less privileged.

    In his ruling, Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa emphasized the need for a broader conversation, including the rising cost of building materials. 

    He directed the House Committee on Housing, chaired by Hon. Ege Olusegun, to summon relevant stakeholders and agencies for an interface aimed at finding lasting solutions.

    The House also resolved to involve the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in creating public awareness about the provisions of the Tenancy Law.

    In another development, the House passed for the third time a bill to establish the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy. 

    The Speaker subsequently instructed the Acting Clerk, Mr. Abubakar Ottun, to forward a clean copy to the governor for assent.

  • PHOTOS: Protesters converge on Lagos Assembly

    PHOTOS: Protesters converge on Lagos Assembly

    Protesters converge on Lagos Assembly

    Read Also: Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

  • Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

    Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

    Three officials of Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) have tendered formal apologies to the Department of State Services (DSS) after being arrested for assaulting DSS operatives during the recent leadership crisis at the legislative house.

    The assembly had requested DSS presence through a letter dated February 14, 2025, signed by Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun. The letter, with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, asked the DSS to secure the facility from February 15 until further notice.

    However, upon arrival, DSS personnel were reportedly attacked by three assembly workers. Relying on CCTV footage, the security agency arrested the suspects and subsequently filed charges against them.

    In separate letters of apology dated March 28, 2025, the arrested officials—Ibrahim Olarenwaju (Public Affairs Officer), Miss Adetola Oluwatosin and Adetu Adekunle (both officers with the Sergeant-at-Arms unit)—expressed regret for their actions.

    The apologies, addressed to DSS Director General, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, were routed through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command.

    Read Also: Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

    One of the letters read: “I, Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or omission that I might have caused your distinguished office and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025.”

    The other assembly workers echoed similar sentiments, pledging to conduct themselves appropriately in future and avoid any action that could undermine DSS personnel.

    During the leadership crisis at the assembly, several media outlets had initially published reports claiming that DSS operatives invaded the legislative complex. However, upon reviewing the facts, many media organisations retracted their reports and issued apologies to the DSS.

    This development highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the need for professionalism in handling security-related matters at public institutions.

  • Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

    Three Lagos Assembly workers apologise for assaulting DSS personnel

    Three officials of the Lagos Assembly arrested for assaulting  officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the recent leadership crisis that rocked the legislative House have apologized to the Service. 

    The Assembly, in a letter dated February 14, 2025,  by the acting clerk, A. T. B. Ottun, had invited the DSS to beef up security at the Assembly.

    According to the letter with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, the acting clerk begged the DSS to secure the facility “from February 15 till further notice.”

    However, when DSS operatives arrived to beef up security at the Assembly, three workers at the facility reportedly attacked them. 

    Relying on CCTV footage, the DSS arrested the Assembly workers and filed charges against them. 

    In separate letters of apology dated March 28, 2025,  Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, a public affairs officer at the assembly, Miss Adetola Fatimoh Oluwatosin and Adetu Samshudeen Adekunle, both officers with the Sergeant-at- Arms told the DSS Director General, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi that they were deeply sorry for their actions. 

    The letters were routed through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command. 

    “I, Ibrahim Abdul- Akeem Olarenwaju. .., hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or ommission that I might have caused your distinguished office (DSS) and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025,” one of the letters addressed to the DSS Director General, read. 

    In the apology letters by the three Assembly workers, they  promised the secret police to be of good conduct and refrain from any future acts that could undermine their personnel. 

    In the wake of the Assembly leadership crisis, several media houses published misleading reports that DSS operatives invaded the assembly. 

    However, upon realising their error, several media organisations, including AIT, Channels TV, The Punch, Blueprint, Tribune, The Guardian, among others, retracted the stories and apologised to the DSS. 

    It is uncertain if Lagos Television (LTV), which the DSS also wrote to apologised, has complied, prompting fears of an impending lawsuit by the secret police.

  • Court dismisses Obasa’s bid to change Lagos Assembly’s legal representation

    Court dismisses Obasa’s bid to change Lagos Assembly’s legal representation

    The Lagos State High Court has rejected an application by reinstated Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to change the legal representation of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

     Justice Yetunde Pinheiro ruled that Femi Falana (SAN) will remain the approved counsel for the Assembly, despite arguments from multiple parties involved in the case.

    Obasa’s counsel, Olusola Idowu (SAN) had argued for a new counsel, citing the Assembly’s right to change its legal team. 

    However, Falana countered that he had not been debriefed by the Assembly and denied the existence of any reinstatement order for suspended clerk Olalekan Onafeko.

    Abimbola Akeredolu, (SAN) representing Obasa on other matters, argues that the application was tied to unresolved substantive issues in the case, while Olu Daramola (SAN) representing 33 of the 40 lawmakers (the 3rd to 35th defendants), claimed the majority of lawmakers suspended Onafeko and retained Falana, accusing the opposing side of misintepreting the Industrial Court’s order.

    Read Also: Ignore Obasanjo’s comment on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi tells Nigerians

    The court also addressed another application by Falana, who argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to interfere in matters of the Assembly.

    Falana noted that the speaker is elected by members of the house and can only be removed by the members.

    Justice Pinheiro adjourned the case, informing the court that a date will be communicated to the parties involved. 

    The ruling is the latest development in the contentious case, which has seen multiple applications and counter-arguments .

  • National Industrial Court denies reinstating suspended Lagos Assembly clerk

    National Industrial Court denies reinstating suspended Lagos Assembly clerk

    The National Industrial Court (NIC) has berated suspended Clerk of the Lagos Assembly, Barr Olalekan Onafeko, for resorting to self-help.

    The court said it never ordered the reinstatement of Onafeko as reported by a section of the media.

    The reports had said that Onafeko was ordered to resume leading to the claimant storming the House and taking over the office of the acting Clerk, Taiwo Ottun.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter, the court said it only asked that parties maintain peace and that none of the parties should ‘do anything that will be detrimental to the peace of the state’ pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    Before adjourning the matter till March 18, 2025 for hearing of all applications before it, the court expressed surprise that its declaration was misinterpreted by the claimant.

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. O.O. Oniyire, had informed Justice M.N. Esowe that Onafeko engaged in self-help by breaking down the doors and taking over the office of the acting Clerk of the House.

    Read Also: ‘I’d love to be a National Industrial Court judge’

    He also said Onafeko issued press releases and statements claiming to have been reinstated by the court.

    He further informed the court that the claimant had resorted to using men of the DSS and the police to harass and intimidate acting Clerk.

    The Court on February 20, 2025 heard an ex-parte application where Onafeko urged the court to restrain the defenders. However, the court had, at the hearing, restrained itself from granting the claimant’s prayers due to their voluminous nature.

    The court specifically stated that “both parties shall maintain the peace and status quo ante bellum pending the hearing of the motion on notice.”

  • JUST IN: Lagos Assembly denies Alleged defection of 25 lawmakers from APC

    JUST IN: Lagos Assembly denies Alleged defection of 25 lawmakers from APC

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed reports alleging that 25 of its members are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to another political party.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, the Assembly described the claim as “entirely false and without merit.”

    The statement recalled a similar report that emerged during a recent leadership dispute within the Assembly, which falsely claimed that 27 lawmakers were set to leave the APC for the Labour Party. 

    The allegation was also refuted, with members reaffirming their commitment to the ruling party.

    Read Also: FULL SPEECH: Why I resigned as Lagos Assembly Speaker – Meranda

    “For the avoidance of doubt, no APC member of the Lagos State House of Assembly is contemplating defection,” the statement read. 

    “As true progressives, we acknowledge that challenges may arise, but we remain committed to addressing them through democratic and lawful processes.”

    The Assembly reassured the public that the party leadership is actively engaged in resolving any internal issues and urged citizens to disregard the misleading reports. 

    It also reaffirmed its loyalty to the party’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and its dedication to the APC’s ideals.

    Furthermore, the statement warned against the spread of false information, emphasizing that the Lagos State House of Assembly remains focused on its legislative duties to promote the development of Lagos State.

  • BREAKING: Heavy security in Lagos Assembly over leadership tussle

    BREAKING: Heavy security in Lagos Assembly over leadership tussle

    There is a heavy presence of security operatives within and around the premises of the Lagos House of Assembly.

    The situation is not unconnected with the leadership tussle between Hon Mudasiru Obasa and Mojisola Meranda. 

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly Crisis: Meranda breaks silence, says Obasa’s action ‘show of shame’

    While 36 lawmakers are backing Meranda who they elected when Obasa was away, the latter has laid claim to the speakership saying his purported removal was not constitutional. 

    Some lawmakers have arrived, including Meranda for the plenary slated for 1pm. 

    Details shortly…

  • Lagos Assembly workers accused of attacking DSS officials get N3m bail

    Lagos Assembly workers accused of attacking DSS officials get N3m bail

    Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted bail to three staff members of the Lagos State House of Assembly accused of assaulting Department of State Security Services (SSS) operatives during the leadership crisis at the assembly complex on February 17.

    The three defendants, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle and Fatimoh Adetola, were granted bail consequent upon the motion filed and moved by their lawyer, Mr Frank Eke, following their arraignment and their plea of not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

    Justice Osiagor granted each of the three defendants bail for N3 million, with one surety each.

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    The judge ruled that the sureties must be employees of either the Lagos State or Federal Government, holding a minimum grade level 12 and the documents they would submit must be verified by the court registrar.

    Operatives of the DSS had arraigned the three workers in charge marked FHC/L/273C/2025.

    The defendants were accused of cyberstalking, and committing a felony, by sending messages to social media platforms to embarrass the DSS and its officials.

    The duo of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, and Adetu Adekunle were accused of using Iphone 12 promax and Techno POP 8 to record false information, which they sent to social media platforms to embarrass the DSS and cause breakdown of law and order to the public.

  • Alleged assault on DSS: Court grants bail to three Lagos Assembly staff

    Alleged assault on DSS: Court grants bail to three Lagos Assembly staff

    Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday granted bail to three staff members of the Lagos State House of Assembly accused of assaulting operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the leadership crisis at the assembly complex on February 17.

    The defendants, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola, were granted bail after their lawyer, Mr. Frank Eke, filed and moved a motion following their arraignment and plea of not guilty.

    Justice Osiagor set their bail at N3 million each, with one surety per defendant. 

    The sureties must be employees of either the Lagos State or Federal Government, holding a minimum grade level of 12, and all documents submitted must be verified by the court registrar.

    The DSS had arraigned the three Assembly staff in case FHC/L/273C/2025 before the court.

    Read Also: Why I didn’t attend APC national caucus meeting, by El-Rufai

    The three defendants and others still at large, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to assault officers of the State Security Service while they were performing their official duties, without any reasonable excuse.

    They were also alleged to have on February 17, 2025, aided and abetted by obstructing the officers of State Security Service while performing their official duty without any reasonable cause.

    The three defendants were further accused of cyberstalking amongst themselves by recording and sending false information to social medial circulating same to the whole country for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order amongst the people without any justification.

    In particular, the DSS accused them of committing felony, by willful misdirecting electronic massages to social media for the purpose of embarrassing the State Security Service and its officials.

    The duo of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, and Adetu Adekunle were accused of using Iphone 12 promax and Techno POP 8 to record false information and sent same to social media for circulation with the intention to cause an embarrassment to State Security Services, in order to cause breakdown of law and order to the public.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor, Barrister M. O. Bajela, contravened sections 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as well as sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024. charges bordering on conspiracy

    However the three defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

    Following their not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Barrister Bajela asked the court for a trial date.

    However, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Frank Eke, informed the court that he had filed their bail applications and same have been served on the prosecutor.

    The lawyer described the prosecution of his clients as “collateral damages”.

    He pleaded with the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

    Responding, the prosecutor informed the court he was served with the bail application while in court today. He however, told the court that he leave the bail issues to court’s discretion.

    Ruling on the bail application, Justice Osiagor admitted each of the defendants to N3 million with one surety each. The judge also ordered that the surety must be a Grade Level 12 and above.

    The judge thereafter adjourned the defendants’ trial to June 24.