Court grants bail to Lagos Assembly Staff accused of assaulting DSS officers

The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail to three staff members of the Lagos State House of Assembly who were accused of assaulting operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Daniel Osiagor set their bail at N3 million each, with the condition that they must provide a Level 16 civil servant as a surety. The DSS did not object to their bail request, and the defendants were represented by a lawyer from Femi Falana’s chambers.

The accused persons are identified as:

Ibrahim Olanrewaju (Male)

Adetu Adekunle (Male)

Fatimoh Adetola (Female)

According to a charge sheet filed by the DSS (FHC/L/273C/2026) on February 26, 2025, the defendants, along with others who are still at large, allegedly:

Obstructed DSS officers from carrying out their official duties at the Lagos State Assembly on February 17, 2025.

Recorded and shared false information online with the intention of inciting public unrest and tarnishing the DSS’s image.

Used mobile devices (iPhone 12 Pro Max and Tecno POP 8) to spread misleading content aimed at disturbing public peace.

These actions are said to be in violation of:

Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004).

Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes Act (2015, amended in 2024).

The arrests stemmed from a confrontation between DSS operatives and Assembly staff during an operation at the Lagos Assembly on February 17. The incident is linked to the ongoing speakership dispute at the House.

Recently, former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was removed and replaced by his deputy, Mojisola Meranda. However, Obasa has rejected his removal, describing it as unconstitutional, and has taken legal action to challenge it.

The court has scheduled March 24, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.