The legal representatives of the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have announced readiness to proceed to court today (Friday) to challenge his removal from office and seek his reinstatement.
Recall that Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, and subsequently filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court on February 14, 2025, contesting the legality of his ousting.
The suit, which lists the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and the Lagos State House of Assembly as defendants, comes after multiple failed political negotiations between Lagos and Abuja aimed at resolving the leadership crisis.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s alleged directive for Obasa’s reinstatement, the Assembly remains divided, with lawmakers reportedly fearing possible retaliation should Obasa return to office.
Obasa’s legal challenge questions the validity of the plenary session that led to his impeachment, arguing that it was unlawfully convened during recess without proper authorization.
“The action challenged the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House,” the lawsuit states.
Obasa insists that the session violated Sections 36, 90(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and contravened the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules and Standing Orders, particularly Order V Rule 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(i-viii).
Speaking on the case, Obasa’s counsel, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the legal battle unless advised otherwise.
“Let me say again that we have not been debriefed and we have not been informed of any contrary development. For us as lawyers, we will be in court until we are debriefed,” Fashanu told Punch on Thursday.
