A legal standoff unfolded at the Lagos State High Court on Friday as two senior lawyers laid claim to representing the Lagos State House of Assembly in a high-profile case filed by Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who is challenging his removal as Speaker.
Obasa’s suit, numbered ID/9047GCM/2025, is centered around the legality of the Assembly’s sitting on January 13, 2025, during its recess, where the decision to impeach him was made. His lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, argued that the sitting was unconstitutional, as the Speaker had neither reconvened the House nor delegated authority for such an important decision.
However, proceedings took an unexpected turn when Abang Mkpandiok, who claimed to have been newly briefed by the Assembly, sought to replace Femi Falana, SAN, as the Assembly’s counsel. Mkpandiok filed a motion to have Falana removed, but Falana objected, arguing that he had not received formal notice of the change.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, after reviewing court records, ruled that Mkpandiok’s application was premature since it had not been properly served to all parties involved. The court deferred the matter until the proper procedures were followed.
Meanwhile, 33 members of the Lagos Assembly have filed a motion to join the suit, asserting their interest in the case. Justice Pinheiro scheduled the hearing of all pending applications for March 7.
After the session, current Speaker Mojosola Lasbat Meranda dismissed rumors of her resignation and condemned Obasa’s alleged invasion of the Assembly complex. She also revealed that her full security detail had yet to be restored.
