A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the remand of three Lagos State House of Assembly workers in Department of State Security Services (DSS) custody over alleged assault.
The defendants, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola, were named in charge No. FHC/L/273C/2025, dated Feb. 24, 2025.
The DSS accused them and others at large of conspiring to obstruct and assault its operatives while they were on duty at Lagos House of Assembly
Justice Daniel Osiagor ordered their remand after DSS counsel, Mr Michael Bajela, sought their arraignment.
However, the judge stated that he needed to review the case file before proceeding.
The defendants will remain in DSS custody until their arraignment on Wednesday.
According to the charges, the alleged offence took place on Feb. 17 at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The DSS alleges that the defendants obstructed officers without lawful excuse.
They were also accused of cyberstalking, including recording and sharing false information on social media to incite public disorder.
The agency further alleged that Olanrewaju and Adekunle used an iPhone 12 Pro Max, while Adekunle also used a Tecno POP 8, to spread misleading content.
The DSS claimed this was intended to embarrass the agency and disrupt public order.
The offences contravene section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Law of the Federation, 2004.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has demanded immediate release of the three Lagos State House of Assembly workers.
The association’s Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Babatunde Ogunlana, made the demand while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Ikeja.
The detained workers , two Sergeants-at-Arms officers and a Public Affairs Officer, had prevented the DSS officials from entering the chamber with firearms on the same day.
The Assembly, had in a letter dated Feb. 14 and signed by the Acting Clerk, Babatunde Ottun, invited the DSS to provide more security at the complex on Feb.17,citing intelligence reports indicating potential threat to peace at the complex.
The House added that it received reports of plans by the impeached speaker of the House ,Mr Mudashiru Obasa,to forcibly remove the new speaker ,Mrs Mojisola Meranda, and impose himself as Speaker.
However, the presence of the DSS operatives at the Assembly complex resulted in chaos as they were confronted by some legislative workers who accused them of acting beyond providing security.
Speaking at the news conference, Ogunlana, said the continued detention of the association’s members raised genuine concerns for the health and safety of the affected staff; one of whom was asthmatic.
The chairman called on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Civil Society Organisations and the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) to intervene in the matter and help free the detained staff.
Ogunlana said the arrest and detention of the affected workers was a violation of their rights.
“The association is using the medium to condemn the humiliating arrest, detention and trial of the officers as abuse of power and gross violation of the rights of the workers who were performing their statutory duties.
“PASAN, as a union, demands the immediate release of the detained staff members, and call on the authorities to institute a thorough investigation into their arrest, torture, and continued detention with a view to forestalling recurrence.
“We are calling on the Civil Society Organisations and organised labour to rise in defense of democracy and rule of law and prevent future intimidation and harassment of workers by security agencies
“The association further calls on DSS to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of the affected staff,” he said.
Ogunlana added that the association found the continued detention of the staff worrisome ,accusing the DSS of subjecting them to psychological trauma.
(NAN)