Two lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly have reportedly been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged roles in the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the Assembly.
The arrests come in the wake of the impeachment of former Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, which has since triggered tensions within the legislative body.
Sources revealed that Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu were allegedly taken into custody and interrogated by DSS officials at their Magodo office for their involvement in the impeachment process.
According to reports, Hon. Ogunkelu, who represents Epe Constituency 2, and Hon. Afinni of Lagos Island Constituency 2 were accused of vandalizing government property during Obasa’s removal.
A source told newsmen that on the day of the impeachment, the then Clerk of the House, Barrister Lekan Onafeko, was absent, and his office was locked.
“Hon. Ogunkelu, also known as Sketel, and Hon. Afinni physically led the charge to retrieve the mace for the House sitting, forcing their way into the office by destroying doors and other government property,” the source alleged.
Based on these allegations, the DSS reportedly invited both lawmakers for questioning. The source further claimed that while Ogunkelu remains in detention, Afinni was released due to health concerns.
Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers has mobilized to the DSS office in protest against the arrest of their colleagues.When contacted, the Deputy Director in charge of operations at the DSS, Mr. Gabriel Oluda, declined to comment on the matter.