A high-stakes legal battle is brewing in  Lagos as the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has taken the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, to court, challenging the legitimacy of his dramatic removal from office. A intense legal showdown is unfolding in Lagos, as former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa takes the State House of Assembly and new Speaker Mojisola Meranda to court, contesting the validity of his removal from office.

Former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa

Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, followed allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. With his removal, Mojisola Meranda made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, pledging transparency in her new role. The outcome of this high-stakes legal battle will undoubtedly have significant implications for Lagos politics. Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is challenging his removal from office in the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. Obasa, who was impeached while abroad, claims his removal was unconstitutional and occurred while the Assembly was on recess.

Through his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa has filed an urgent suit, dated February 12, 2025, seeking a swift ruling. He’s requesting the court to expedite proceedings, ordering the defendants to respond within seven days. Obasa’s case is built on nine grounds, primarily focusing on the interpretation of various sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is seeking a court order to limit his response time to just three days, emphasizing that his case is of utmost public importance. Obasa firmly believes that his removal from office on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers, was a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution and the Assembly’s Standing Orders. Mudashiru Obasa claims his removal as Speaker was unlawful, citing that the House sitting which led to his impeachment shouldn’t have occurred without his formal approval.

He’s now taken the Lagos State House of Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, to court, seeking to overturn the decision and reclaim his position as Speaker. Mudashiru Obasa claims that his impeachment was unlawful because the House sitting that led to his removal didn’t have his formal approval as Speaker, This technicality has thrown Lagos politics into turmoil, and the outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact the state’s legislative authority.

Essentially, Obasa’s argument hinges on the fact that, as Speaker, he was the only one authorized to convene the House. By bypassing him, the lawmakers who impeached him may have violated the rules. The stakes are high, and the consequences of this power struggle will likely be felt throughout the state’s government.

A hearing date has yet to be scheduled.