March 7 Set as New Hearing Date for Obasa’s Lawsuit Against Lagos Lawmakers

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned further hearing in the suit filed by the outsted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, against the House and its new Speaker, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, until March 7.

Persecondnews reported that Obasa had approached the court to challenge his removal as Speaker by lawmakers on January 13.

His suit claims that his removal was unlawful, particularly since it took place while the House was on recess.

The ousted speaker, through his lawyer Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), filed an application on February 12, 2025, seeking a court order to declare his removal null and void, arguing that he remains the rightful Speaker.

At the hearing on Friday, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) led a team that included Mr. Bimbo Akeredolu (SAN) and other lawyers representing Meranda.

Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) led a team of lawyers, including Mr. Muiz Banire (SAN), representing the 36 lawmakers loyal to Speaker Mojisola Meranda, while Mr. Olu Daramola (SAN) and Mr. Dada Awosika (SAN) represented other parties seeking to be joined in the suit.

Addressing journalists after the court session, the Speaker vehemently described the plenary session held by the removed Speaker as a farce and a show of shame.

She said: “I think, to me, that was just a show of shame. Because in our job, we have numbers that form a quorum. So if you are sitting with three or four members, yo are only doing a tea job.”

Before the adjournment, Justice Pinheiro ordered that all members of the Lagos State House of Assembly be joined as parties in the suit.

Persecondnews recalls that the Assembly had been plagued by a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as Speaker on January 13, 2025, and the subsequent election of Meranda.

Among the allegations levelled against Obasa are poor leadership style, frequent lateness to plenary sessions, high-handedness, disregard for colleagues and the executive arm of government, abuse of office, intimidation, oppression, and misappropriation of funds.