The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has taken legal action against the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of his removal from office.
Obasa filed the suit before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his impeachment on January 13, 2025, was unlawful as it occurred while the Assembly was on recess. The application, dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), claims that 36 lawmakers ousted him while he was out of the country.
In his suit, which is yet to be assigned to a judge, Obasa is seeking the following reliefs:
An accelerated hearing of the case.
An order shortening the defendants’ response time to seven days after the hearing.
A limitation of three days for the plaintiff to file replies on points of law.
The case is based on nine legal grounds, primarily centered on the interpretation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa argues that the Assembly had no constitutional authority to convene or conduct proceedings during recess without the Speaker’s approval or delegation of authority. He insists that the court must urgently resolve the matter to prevent disruptions in legislative activities.
The former Speaker further contends that his impeachment violated legal procedures and calls for a judicial review of the Assembly’s leadership transition. He also maintains that the court has inherent powers to grant an expedited hearing.
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
Obasa was impeached by over two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house on allegations of misconduct and other offences. Following his removal, his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected as Speaker, making history as the first female to lead the Lagos Assembly.
Upon his return to Nigeria on January 25, Obasa was received by supporters at his residence in GRA, Ikeja. He maintained that while he was not afraid of impeachment, the process did not follow due legal procedures.
He further alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was abroad and accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of facilitating the process. According to him, security operatives, led by the police commissioner, invaded the Assembly complex and his residences in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa has since dismissed allegations of financial misappropriation, asserting that his impeachment was politically motivated.
