Ex-Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa Sues Assembly, Challenges Legality of His Removal

Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a lawsuit against the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, contesting the legality of his impeachment. The case, lodged before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeks to overturn his removal, which he claims was unlawful.

Obasa, represented by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), argues that his ousting on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while the Assembly was on recess and he was outside the country, violates constitutional provisions and legislative rules.

Legal Challenge and Reliefs Sought

In his application dated February 12, 2025, Obasa is requesting the court to:
   •   Declare his impeachment unconstitutional due to the alleged procedural violations.
   •   Expedite the case by limiting the defendants’ response time to seven days and his own reply time to three days.
   •   Rule on the legality of the Assembly’s sitting during recess without his authorization or delegation.

He maintains that the court must act swiftly to prevent legislative disruptions and ensure adherence to legal procedures in the Assembly’s leadership transition.

Allegations and Political Fallout

Obasa, who was impeached by over two-thirds of the 40-member Assembly over alleged misconduct, claims his removal was politically orchestrated. He accuses the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of facilitating the process by deploying security forces to lock down the Assembly complex and his residences in Agege and Ikeja.

Returning from abroad on January 25 to a rally at his residence in Ikeja GRA, Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation and insisted that due process was not followed in his removal.

Mojisola Meranda, his former deputy, was swiftly elected as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to lead the legislative body in Lagos State.

No date has been set for the hearing of Obasa’s lawsuit.