A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi has ordered the remand of three staff members of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of assaulting its operatives.
The three defendants—Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen, and Fatimoh Oluwatosin Adetola, were initially arrested for allegedly attacking DSS officers but were released on Saturday night following the intervention of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana.
However, during proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the request of DSS counsel, Mr. Michael Bajela, for their arraignment and ordered their detention.
According to court documents filed on February 24, 2025, and marked FHC/L/273C/2025, the DSS alleged that the trio, alongside others still at large, conspired to obstruct its operatives while they were carrying out their lawful duties at the Lagos State House of Assembly on February 17, 2025.
The agency further accused the defendants of cyberstalking, claiming they recorded and disseminated false information on social media with the intent to incite public disorder.
Additionally, the DSS alleged that Abdulkareem, Samsudeen, and Adetola engaged in a conspiracy to commit a felony by deliberately spreading misleading electronic messages aimed at discrediting the security agency.
Specifically, the prosecution asserted that Abdulkareem and Samsudeen used an iPhone 12 Pro Max, while Samsudeen also used a Tecno POP 8, to record and circulate content intended to embarrass the DSS and disrupt public peace.
The alleged offences, according to the DSS, contravene Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as well as Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024.
Reports of their initial arrest surfaced on Saturday, linking the trio to an alleged assault on DSS officers amid the recent crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The case is expected to continue as the defendants face formal arraignment in court.
