Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has taken legal action against the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legitimacy of his removal from office.
Obasa filed the lawsuit before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his impeachment, which took place while the Assembly was on recess, was unlawful. The case, yet to be assigned to a judge, seeks a court declaration invalidating his removal.
In an application dated February 12, 2025, and submitted by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa claimed he was removed on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.
The former Speaker is requesting:
An accelerated hearing of the case.
A court order shortening the time for the defendants to file responses to seven days.
A three-day window for him to submit replies on points of law.
His claims rest on constitutional provisions and the Lagos Assembly’s Rules and Standing Orders. He argues that the Assembly’s session during recess, without his authorization or delegation, was unconstitutional.
Obasa insists that the court must urgently determine the legality of the Assembly’s leadership to prevent legislative disruption. He also emphasized the judiciary’s power to fast-track proceedings and impose time limits on responses.
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House over alleged misconduct. His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected, making history as the first female Speaker in the South-West state.
Upon returning to Lagos on January 25, Obasa was welcomed by supporters at his residence in GRA, Ikeja. He maintained that due process had not been followed, alleging that his removal was orchestrated in his absence.
He further accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of aiding his impeachment, claiming that security agents stormed the Assembly complex and his residences in Agege and Ikeja, detaining his family with over 200 officers.
Obasa has also denied allegations of financial misconduct.
No hearing date has been set.
