The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olawale, has strongly refuted claims made by Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who accused him of orchestrating his impeachment using police force. The allegations, which emerged after Obasa’s controversial return to Lagos, have sparked a public exchange between the two men, each defending their version of events.
Obasa, who was impeached as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in a dramatic turn of events, returned to Lagos on Saturday and wasted no time in addressing the issue. Speaking passionately to reporters, Obasa accused CP Olawale of deploying an excessive number of policemen to his residences in the Agege area and the Government Residential Area (GRA) on the day of his removal. According to Obasa, over 200 policemen were sent to blockade his home, preventing his family from leaving the house. He claimed his children were unable to sleep in the house that night as they were locked out, and his wife was allegedly placed under house arrest.
“My children did not sleep in this house on that day because they were locked out, and my wife kept inside—house arrest,” Obasa said, visibly frustrated. His remarks were an apparent attempt to rally public sympathy by painting a vivid picture of a family caught in a moment of crisis, allegedly at the hands of the police.
However, the Commissioner of Police was quick to respond, labeling Obasa’s accusations as unfounded and easily disprovable. Speaking to reporters shortly after Obasa’s statements were made public, Olawale urged the public to consider the facts before jumping to conclusions.
“The man lives within an estate, so that means before you get to his house, you must have breached the gate of that estate,” Olawale said, questioning the credibility of the claims. “There are gatemen in the estate, why don’t you find out? 200 policemen? How many policemen do I have? Have you asked that question?”
The CP’s comment reflects his disbelief that such a large contingent of officers would be sent to an individual’s residence without any significant reason or authorization. He also pointed to the inconsistency of Obasa’s narrative, emphasizing the lack of any clear evidence supporting the accusations.
Olawale went on to clarify the role of the police in the events surrounding Obasa’s impeachment, stating categorically that the police had no involvement in the assembly’s proceedings. The former Speaker’s allegations of a police presence within the legislative chambers were dismissed by Olawale, who explained that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the assembly’s internal security.
“Whatever happens there (in the assembly) has nothing to do with the police,” Olawale asserted. “They have ways they check themselves in, and I don’t believe anybody who has no business inside the assembly is allowed in. They have their sergeants at hand who coordinate the conduct of the assembly.”
The Commissioner further emphasized that it would be against the law for the police to intervene in the internal matters of the House of Assembly. He made it clear that he had no authority to interfere with the legislative process, nor was there any justification for his involvement in Obasa’s impeachment.
“It has nothing to do with me as a policeman,” Olawale concluded firmly, reiterating that Obasa’s accusations were not based on fact.
The public dispute between Obasa and Olawale has raised eyebrows, with many Lagosians now questioning the validity of the former Speaker’s claims. Critics of Obasa have suggested that his allegations are part of an attempt to salvage his political reputation following his removal from office. Some have even suggested that the accusations were intended to shift the blame for his impeachment onto an external party, such as the police, rather than acknowledging the internal political dynamics that led to his ousting.
For Obasa, the impeachment was a bitter blow to his long-standing political career, which had seen him serve as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly for several years. His removal from office, which was backed by a majority of lawmakers, marked a significant shift in the balance of power within the state’s legislative branch. The reasons behind his impeachment remain a topic of debate, with some claiming that it was due to internal factionalism and others pointing to allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
Obasa’s return to Lagos and his subsequent accusations against CP Olawale have only added fuel to the fire, with many now wondering if this public feud will escalate further. The role of the police in the affairs of the assembly has always been a sensitive issue, with both the executive and legislative branches of government often wary of the other’s influence. For now, the Lagos State Police Command has made it clear that it had no involvement in the impeachment proceedings, and any claims to the contrary are categorically denied.
As the dust settles from this latest political drama, it remains to be seen what impact these developments will have on the political landscape in Lagos. Obasa’s next move is still unclear, but with the support of his political allies, he may continue to push for greater attention to his grievances. However, without concrete evidence to back his accusations, his credibility may be called into question by many who view his claims as little more than a desperate attempt to reclaim his political footing.
