Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) made headlines on Tuesday after arresting two prominent members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Messrs. Lanre Afinni and Sylvester Ogunkelu.
The lawmakers were apprehended at their Magodo office in Lagos and are now under interrogation.
Sources close to the Assembly revealed that the two legislators are being questioned in connection with the controversial removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the House.
On January 13, a significant political shift occurred when 35 members of the Assembly voted to oust Obasa, replacing him with former Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
In a show of support for their detained colleagues, Deputy Speaker Mojeed Fatai, along with several other Assembly members, rallied at the DSS office, seeking the release of Afinni and Ogunkelu.
Meanwhile, the political climate in Lagos has become increasingly tense. A socio-political group, the Concerned Citizens of Lagos, issued a statement condemning what they see as a concerted effort to erode democratic processes within the state.
The group voiced concerns over the recent arrests, calling them part of a broader pattern of undermining the rule of law.
The group, in a statement by Mr Murphy Ajibola, on behalf of the group, said: “These actions appear to be part of a broader strategy to pressure the Assembly into overturning the removal of former Speaker.
“This orchestrated campaign against elected representatives is not just an attack on individual lawmakers; it is an assault on democracy.
“The Legislature exists to check executive power and represent the people. When lawmakers are intimidated or arrested under questionable circumstances, democracy is at risk.”
