A group, Stand up for Lagos (SL), Tuesday flayed the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) for its alleged malicious activities against the Speaker of Lagos State House of the Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Protesting members of the group stormed the state Assembly carrying placards with different inscriptions such as: "Don't distract Ikuforiji from his patriotic commitments," "Falana Pay Your Tax," "Ikuforiji is working, our House is working," "Let the Speaker continue the good work," among others.

SL described the said activities of CSNAC as undue intimidation of the Speaker, and therefore advised Lagosians not to entertain what they described as "the evil plot and diversionary agenda of some agents of mischief around us who want to score political points and offend the sensibilities of the people."

While condemning allegation by CSNAC that the lawmakers in the state Assembly are abandoning their official duties in expression of solidarity with the Speaker since the commencement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) trial in court, the group maintained that it was only the Assembly that could regulate its activities. It added that it would soon expose all those behind the Speaker's travails.

SL in a statement made available to journalists said: "We wish to enlighten the so-called CSNAC that legislative duties are not limited to the four walls of the legislative chamber and only the Assembly itself reserves the right to dictate the proceedings of sitting and deliberation; it has never been the prerogative of non-members to regulate the activities of the Assembly.

"It is very clear that at this juncture, the hired protesters in the name of CSNAC are dancing to the tunes of some agents of mischief who are having sleepless nights due to the rising political profile of the Speaker, Ikuforiji."