The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a lawsuit against the Assembly and its newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking to challenge the legality of his impeachment.
Obasa, through his lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), filed the suit on February 12, 2025. The case, which is yet to be assigned to a judge, centers on the claim that his removal from office on January 13, 2025, was unlawful, as it took place while the Assembly was on recess. Obasa contends that the impeachment was carried out without proper legal procedures, especially since he was out of the country at the time.
In his application, Obasa is requesting the court to schedule an accelerated hearing of the case, with a seven-day deadline for the defendants to respond to his claims. He is also asking for a three-day timeframe for him to file replies on points of law.
The plaintiff’s application hinges on the interpretation of several sections of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended) and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Obasa argues that the Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during its recess were unconstitutional, as the Speaker did not convene the House or delegate that responsibility to another individual, as required by the rules.
Obasa maintains that the court must urgently determine the legality of the Assembly’s current leadership to avoid disrupting the legislative process in the state. His legal team asserts that the inherent powers of the court should be used to expedite the hearing and resolve the matter swiftly.
The former Speaker was impeached by more than two-thirds of the 40-member House over allegations of misconduct and other offenses while he was abroad. In his absence, his Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was elected as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to hold the position in the South-West state.
Upon his return to Nigeria on January 25, Obasa expressed confidence in the face of his impeachment but insisted that due process was not followed. He further alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away and accused the state Commissioner of Police of aiding the process. According to Obasa, security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the Assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family inside with over 200 officers present.
Despite the serious allegations against him, Obasa has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, particularly the accusations of misappropriation.
The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing of the matter.
