Ex-Lagos Speaker Obasa denies allegations of arms cache in his office

Mudashiru Obasa, the immediate past Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has dismissed recent allegations claiming that a “cache of arms and ammunition” was discovered in his office.

Obasa, a six-term lawmaker, labeled the accusation as a baseless attempt to damage his reputation.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, Obasa described the claim as an unfounded afterthought. This follows reports from several online publications suggesting that security agents had uncovered a significant stash of arms in his office on Tuesday.

Among the alleged items were 47 pump-action rifles and live cartridges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) further reported that the Department of State Services (DSS) was alerted and dispatched operatives to inventory the arms. An investigation was reportedly underway.

In response, Obasa, a three-time Speaker, expressed disbelief at the allegations, accusing his opponents of fabricating the claims to tarnish his image.

He dismissed the accusations as illogical and lacking in credibility, insisting that they were doomed to fail from the start.

Obasa said: “My attention has been drawn to a viral, hatchet job disguised as journalism, published on Feb. 18.

“The ill-conceived story, besides being a complete fabrication, exposes its author and sponsors as malicious individuals with a low intelligence quotient.

“The story aimed to malign my hard-earned reputation, built over decades of political leadership and legislative dedication.

“In their desperation to defame me, their laughable narrative — an outright abuse of social media — left many gaps, with obvious questions left unanswered.

“The report cited phantom sources in the Assembly and alleged the discovery followed an uproar over DSS presence in the complex.”

Obasa asserted that the Department of State Services (DSS), responding to a voluntary invitation, would ultimately reveal those behind his ongoing blackmail through fabricated accusations.

He further emphasised that his detractors, despite their claims, were still desperately searching for nonexistent evidence to tarnish his reputation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the controversy began on January 13, when a speaker crisis erupted after Obasa was removed from office over allegations of financial misconduct and gross impropriety.

His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, immediately took over the role of Speaker, while Fatai Mojeed was appointed as the new Deputy Speaker.

Read Also: Obasa sues Lagos assembly over removal as speaker

On Friday, Obasa filed a suit at the Lagos State High Court to challenge his removal by his colleagues.

However, the situation took a violent turn on Monday when lawmakers and staff clashed with DSS operatives who had arrived at the Assembly complex.

The building was shut down for hours, until legislative staff managed to force open the chamber doors and resume work, albeit amid tense circumstances.

In a follow-up statement, the Assembly condemned the presence of armed DSS operatives, arguing that it undermined the sanctity of the legislature and disrupted the ability of lawmakers to carry out their duties.