Lagos Assembly crisis: Obasa heads to court, challenges removal as Speaker

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has taken legal action against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, seeking his reinstatement.

Obasa claims his impeachment on January 13, 2025, was unlawful because it occurred during the Assembly’s recess without proper authorization.

His lawsuit argues that the impeachment violated several provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the House’s Standing Orders.

This development comes amid a leadership crisis that has resisted resolution despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive for Obasa’s reinstatement.

Persecondnews reports that this dramatic turn of events follows his removal for alleged gross misconduct, financial mismanagement, and abuse of office, after which Meranda made history as the first female Speaker of the Assembly.

In an originating summons dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit.

Obasa, who was out of the country, was removed as the Lagos Assembly speaker on January 13, 2025, by 36 of the 40-member legislature.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Among the reliefs being sought by Obasa include an order of the court abridging the time within which the defendants may file their response by way of counter-affidavits/written addresses to seven days after the hearing and determination of the application.

The application is premised on nine grounds, among which is the interpretation of Sections 36; 90; 92(2)(c); 101 and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) vis-à-vis Order V, Rule 18(2) and Order II, Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) of Rules and Standing Order of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Part of the motion reads: “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.

“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled.

“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.

“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.”