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Lagos State House of Assembly Crisis: Impeachment, Security Tensions, and Political Resolution

24th February, 2025 at 08:08
By Our Reporter

The Lagos State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a significant leadership crisis since January 2025, marked by political maneuvering, security interventions, and high-profile mediations.

Impeach

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a significant leadership crisis since January 2025, marked by political maneuvering, security interventions, and high-profile mediations.

Impeachment of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa

On January 13, 2025, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached by a majority of the Assembly members over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Obasa, who had served as Speaker since June 2015, was succeeded by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, making her the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Obasa contested the legality of his impeachment, arguing that it occurred during a legislative recess, and subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the Assembly's decision.

Security Interventions and Tensions

In mid-February 2025, tensions escalated when the Department of State Services (DSS) deployed operatives to the Assembly complex. The DSS stated that their presence was in response to a request from the Assembly's leadership, citing credible intelligence about potential attempts by Obasa's loyalists to forcibly reinstate him. However, lawmakers criticized the DSS's actions, alleging that operatives sealed key offices and obstructed legislative activities. This led to disagreements between the DSS and Assembly members regarding the nature and intent of the security deployment.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

Following clashes at the Assembly complex, the DSS arrested three individuals accused of assaulting its operatives during the February 18 incident. The detainees were released on bail after the intervention of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana. These arrests underscored the heightened tensions and the complex interplay between security agencies and legislative members during the crisis.

Mediation and Resolution Efforts

Recognizing the potential implications of the ongoing crisis, President Bola Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders engaged in mediation efforts. After extensive discussions, a political resolution was reached:

Obasa's Status: It was agreed that Obasa's removal would stand but be officially recorded as a resignation, providing him a dignified exit.

Meranda's Position: Speaker Mojisola Meranda was also asked to step down to ensure balanced power distribution among the state's senatorial districts.

New Leadership: A new Speaker is to be elected from Lagos West, the state's largest senatorial district, to maintain equitable representation.

This resolution aims to restore stability within the Lagos State House of Assembly and address the concerns of all stakeholders involved.

The Assassination of Dele Giwa: A Case of Unsolved Mystery

24th February, 2025 at 07:41
By Our Reporter

Introduction
Dele Giwa, a Nigerian journalist and founding editor of "Newswatch", a groundbreaking investigative magazine renowned for its fearless exposés on corruption, human rights abuses, and polit

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Introduction
Dele Giwa, a Nigerian journalist and founding editor of "Newswatch", a groundbreaking investigative magazine renowned for its fearless exposés on corruption, human rights abuses, and political misconduct, was assassinated via a letter bomb on October 19, 1986, in Lagos. This method of killing—unprecedented in Nigeria at the time—marked his death as one of the nation’s most notorious unsolved crimes.  
Background on Dele Giwa  
Born Sumonu Oladele "Dele" Giwa on March 16, 1947, in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Giwa began his journalism career at the "Daily Times" before co-founding "Newswatch" in 1984. Under his leadership, the magazine gained acclaim for its bold investigative journalism, often challenging the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.  
Events Leading to His Assassination
In the weeks preceding his murder, Giwa faced intense scrutiny from Nigerian intelligence agencies. He was interrogated by the State Security Service (SSS) over unfounded allegations of plotting a socialist revolution and had been investigating sensitive topics, including government corruption and drug trafficking. On October 18, 1986, a day before his death, Giwa was questioned by security officials Colonel Halilu Akilu (Director of Military Intelligence) and Lieutenant Colonel A.K. Togun (Deputy Director of the SSS), who allegedly warned him against reporting on military corruption.  
The Assassination  
On October 19, 1986, a parcel addressed to Giwa arrived at his Ikeja residence. Delivered by his security guard, the package exploded when opened in his living room, inflicting catastrophic injuries. His colleague, Kayode Soyinka, who survived the blast, described the scene as gruesome, with Giwa’s lower body obliterated. Rushed to the hospital, Giwa died shortly thereafter. The use of a letter bomb—a first in Nigeria—ignited public outrage and fear, particularly among journalists.  
Investigation and Controversy  
The investigation into Giwa’s murder was mired in controversy. Despite circumstantial evidence implicating high-ranking officials, including Akilu and Togun, the government denied involvement. The probe faced accusations of opacity, witness intimidation, and deliberate cover-ups. General Babangida’s regime rejected calls for an independent inquiry, and no prosecutions followed.  
Impact and Legacy 
Giwa’s assassination reverberated globally, underscoring the perils of journalism under authoritarian rule. It catalyzed a climate of caution among Nigerian reporters, chilling investigative efforts. Though *Newswatch* continued publishing, it never replicated its earlier audacity. Giwa’s unsolved death became emblematic of press freedom struggles, cementing the Babangida regime’s reputation for repression.  
Recent Update
In February 2025, former Nigerian military president General Ibrahim Babangida released his autobiography, "A Journey in Service," in which he addressed longstanding allegations regarding his involvement in the 1986 assassination of journalist Dele Giwa. Babangida denied any involvement in Giwa's death, expressing hope that the true perpetrators would eventually be identified. He criticized the media's adversarial stance toward the government during the investigation, suggesting it hindered the discovery of new evidence. Babangida noted that when the Obasanjo administration reopened the case through the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, no new findings emerged, leaving the murder unsolved.
In response to Babangida's assertions, Richard Akinnola, Executive Director of the Centre for Free Speech Organisation, challenged the former president's claims. Akinnola accused Babangida of misrepresenting facts, particularly regarding the Supreme Court's 1987 decision that allowed Chief Gani Fawehinmi to pursue a private prosecution of the security chiefs implicated in Giwa's murder. Akinnola also highlighted that during the Oputa Panel hearings, retired Commissioner of Police Abubakar Tsav testified under oath that his investigation pointed toward the Babangida government, contradicting Babangida's statement about the absence of new evidence.
The exchange between Babangida and Akinnola underscores the enduring controversy surrounding Dele Giwa's assassination, a case that remains unresolved nearly four decades later.
Conclusion
Decades later, Dele Giwa’s assassination remains a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history, symbolizing the dangers faced by truth-seekers in oppressive environments. The unresolved crime stands as a haunting reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and free expression in Nigeria.