Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a lawsuit against the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of his removal from office.
Obasa, who was impeached on January 13, 2025, while he was out of the country, argues that his removal was unlawful as it took place while the Assembly was on recess. The suit, dated February 12, 2025, and filed at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), has yet to be assigned to a judge.
In his legal challenge, Obasa is seeking an accelerated hearing and a court order shortening the defendant’s response time to seven days post-hearing. He also requests that his legal team be allowed only three days to file replies on points of law.
The former speaker’s case is based on nine legal grounds, citing provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He contends that the Assembly’s proceedings during recess were unconstitutional, as the Speaker did not convene the House nor delegate authority for such a sitting.
Public interest, he argues, necessitates a swift resolution to prevent legislative disruptions. He maintains that the court has the inherent power to expedite hearings and resolve the dispute promptly.
Obasa was removed by 36 out of 40 lawmakers over alleged misconduct and misappropriation of funds, though he has denied the allegations. Following his impeachment, his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was elected as the first female Speaker in the history of the South-West state.
Upon his return to Lagos on January 25, 2025, Obasa received a welcome rally at his GRA, Ikeja residence, where he insisted that his impeachment was politically motivated. He accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of aiding the process, claiming that security forces, including over 200 officers, invaded the Assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
