Former Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has taken legal action against the Lagos State House of Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of his impeachment.
Obasa filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his removal while the House was on recess was unlawful.
In the suit dated February 12, 2025, filed by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa claims that:
He was impeached on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.
The Assembly acted unlawfully by conducting proceedings without the Speaker convening the House or delegating authority.
The court must urgently determine the legality of the Assembly’s current leadership to prevent disruptions in legislative activities.
The former Speaker is requesting the court to:
Set a fast-tracked hearing date to resolve the case quickly.
Limit the time for defendants to file responses to seven days post-hearing.
His suit is based on the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was removed by two-thirds of the 40-member House over alleged misconduct and other offences. Mojisola Meranda, his deputy, was immediately elected as the first female Speaker in Lagos State history.
Upon his return on January 25, 2025, Obasa:
Claimed that due process was not followed in his impeachment.
Accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of assisting in his removal.
Alleged that security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the Assembly complex and his residences in Agege and Ikeja, detaining his family with over 200 officers present.
Denied all allegations of misappropriation.
The court has yet to assign a hearing date, but Obasa insists that the case must be resolved quickly to ensure legislative stability in Lagos State.
-21 February 2025