OBASA CONTESTS OUSTER, TAKES LAGOS ASSEMBLY, MERANDA TO COURT

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Former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has taken legal action to contest his dismissal.

He has sued the Assembly and new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his removal was improper since it occurred while the Assembly was on recess.

In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his legal team led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, requested a fast-tracked hearing of the case.

Obasa, who was abroad at the time, was removed from office on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers. Upon returning to Nigeria, he rejected the decision, insisting he remained the legitimate Speaker.

He has asked the court to schedule an urgent hearing for his suit and to shorten the time for the defendants to submit their responses to seven days. Additionally, he seeks an order reducing the time for filing his legal reply to three days.

His case is based on nine legal grounds, including the interpretation of key sections of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and the Lagos Assembly’s Rules and Standing Orders.

Part of the motion reads, “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.

“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled.

“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.

“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.”

However, as of the time this report was filed, no date has been set for the hearing of the suit.