LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT HEARS APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF COUNSEL IN OBASA REMOVAL CASE
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The Lagos State High Court has heard an application seeking a change of counsel representing the Lagos State House of Assembly in the suit filed by the reinstated Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging his removal.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro ruled on the matter despite objections from the current counsel representing the House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN). Falana argued that the court should first hear his application for a stay of further proceedings, as he had filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging an earlier decision by the lower court. However, Justice Pinheiro overruled Falana’s submissions, emphasizing that the application for change of counsel specifically contested the continued representation of the House of Assembly, which is the first defendant in the suit.
In his argument, Olusola Idowu (SAN), the lead counsel seeking to take over from Falana, stated that the House had the inherent right to change legal representation at any time. He also referred to a recent order from the National Industrial Court in Lagos, which had reinstated the suspended clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, who has since briefed a new legal team to represent the House.
However, Falana countered that he had not been debriefed by the House, adding that the Industrial Court had not issued any order reinstating Onafeko.
The counsel for the former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), also opposed the application, urging the court to dismiss the request for a change of counsel, arguing that it was directly related to the substantive issues in the case, which remain contentious among the parties involved.
Representing the 3rd to the 35th defendants, a group of 33 lawmakers out of the total 40, Olu Daramola (SAN) argued that the majority of the lawmakers had decided to suspend Onafeko and briefed Falana to represent the House. Daramola further contended that the Industrial Court’s order had been misinterpreted, as the suspended clerk had not been recalled.
The court has adjourned and will deliver its ruling at 2 p.m. today.
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