Obasa apologises to DSS over ‘assault’ on personnel at Lagos assembly complex

Mudashiru Obasa, ousted speaker of the Lagos house of assembly, has apologised to the Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged assault of its personnel at the assembly complex.

In a statement released on Thursday, Obasa apologised to the DSS for the “embarrassment” caused by the video that appeared on social media on February 17.

He appealed for an “amicable settlement” for the three workers of the assembly who were charged to court by the DSS over alleged assault.

“On behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I hereby apologise to the security agencies for the embarrassment caused them, and in particular the assault on security operatives of the DSS as widely circulated in videos,” the statement reads.

“We value you and the work you are doing. You are the ones we call on in our time of need for the protection of lives and property in and around the assembly and Lagos state.

“It is clear that the assembly requested additional support and your presence on this particular day.

“This is what we have always done in the past. It is regrettable that security operatives of the DSS had to be assaulted in the hallowed chambers of our state assembly. I hereby apologise unreservedly on behalf of the entire assembly.”

BACKGROUND

On February 17, social media videos suggested that DSS operatives invaded the Lagos assembly and obstructed the lawmakers from holding plenary.

In one of the videos, operatives of the DSS could be seen in a scuffle with the state’s lawmakers — an incident which elicited mixed reactions from the public.

Details later emerged that the DSS was officially invited to the assembly complex by the acting clerk to assist in maintaining order, following intelligence that Obasa planned to resume office on February 18 — a move the house believed posed a security risk.

On Tuesday, the DSS charged three workers of the assembly to court on offences bordering on the alleged assault of the agency’s officials.

The Lagos assembly has been making headlines following the removal of Obasa as speaker on January 13 and the election of Mojisola Meranda as the new speaker.

On his return, Obasa refused to accept his removal, insisting that due process was not followed and declaring himself the legitimate speaker of the house.

On Thursday, Obasa returned to the assembly complex accompanied by security operatives, and declared that he remained the speaker of the house.

The impeached speaker presided over a “plenary session” with only four lawmakers in attendance.

There are 40 members in the state assembly, but the majority refused to participate in the session despite being present at the assembly complex.