There was panic among staff members on Wednesday when the Acting Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Ottun Babatunde, was rushed to the hospital shortly after returning from the Department of State Services (DSS) office, where he had been invited for questioning.
Mr. Babatunde, who had been displaced from his role, reportedly complained of dizziness after honoring the DSS invitation over a petition of alleged incitement filed against him by the former and suspended Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko.
Onafeko claimed that the National Industrial Court in Lagos had sacked Babatunde from his acting role and ordered his reinstatement as Clerk of the House. The court ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Onafeko through his counsel, Yusuf Nurudeen, in a suit marked NICN/LA/23/2025 against:
Lagos State Government
Lagos State Civil Service Commission
Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly
Attorney-General of Lagos State
Acting Clerk, Babatunde
Onafeko sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants from recognizing any other individual, including Babatunde, as Clerk, pending the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
A credible source who preferred anonymity said the incident happened around 1 PM, causing panic among Assembly staff after reports emerged that Babatunde had been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment after leaving the DSS office.
“Mr. Ottun was taken to the DSS office in Shangisha in the company of a senior staff member, Mr. Seyi. He was later released late in the evening and asked to report the next day,” the source said.
“He went to honor the invitation today, accompanied by his lawyer, a Senior Advocate. Around noon, we heard that he had been rushed to the hospital from the DSS office after complaining of dizziness.”
“We were saddened by the development, as the leadership tussle in the Assembly has negatively impacted staff and management.”
Babatunde was reportedly discharged after a few hours and taken home.
The crisis has disrupted the day-to-day running of the Assembly, as Onafeko has reportedly ordered banks to halt all withdrawals and fund releases until further notice.
“Legislative activities have been crippled as Onafeko, who forcefully returned to office, instructed banks to stop payment of running costs and utilities. The Assembly is now a shadow of itself,” the source lamented.
On February 26, 2025, a mild drama unfolded at the Lagos Assembly when Onafeko attempted to resume duty but was turned back from gaining access to his office.
Onafeko was removed as Clerk on January 13, 2025, alongside former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. However, Obasa was re-elected as Speaker after interventions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and other influential figures.
On his return, Onafeko arrived with:
His lawyer
Two security personnel
DSS operatives
An unidentified individual
However, Assembly staff booed and jeered him, chanting unfavorable slogans as he was denied access to the complex.
The Chief Security Officer of the Assembly, Kushoro Idowu, issued a statement titled:
“Unauthorized Entry into the Lagos State House of Assembly Premises by Suspended Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko.”
The statement condemned Onafeko’s forceful entry, calling it a clear disregard for legislative protocols and security regulations.
“He arrived with unknown men and blocked the Assembly staff gate with his car at approximately 9 AM. He later attempted to break into the Clerk’s office,” the statement read.
“This act of defiance constitutes an affront to the integrity of the institution, and necessary steps will be taken to uphold discipline and order.”
The legal battle over the Clerk’s position remains unresolved, further deepening the leadership crisis within the Lagos Assembly.
