Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the hearing of the suit filed by Mudashiru Obasa, the reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, to March 17, 2025. Obasa is challenging his removal as Speaker on January 13, 2025, following accusations of fraud, abuse of office, and gross misconduct by 35 lawmakers.
The respondents in the case include members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. The court had initially scheduled the hearing for March 10, 2025, but during the Monday proceedings, Femi Falana (SAN), counsel for the House of Assembly, informed the court that Obasa’s legal team, led by Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), had served additional affidavits on that day.
“The claimant’s counsel served us further affidavits today, challenging my clients to respond,” Falana stated.
Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), representing Meranda, also indicated that the new affidavits included serious fraud allegations against his client, adding that they would be seeking an adjournment to respond to these new claims.
Olusola Idowu (SAN) also made an appearance as incoming counsel for the House of Assembly in the case.
Falana urged the court to first address the application for a change of counsel before moving to any other applications. He cited a Court of Appeal ruling that mandates that a trial court must address such applications before hearing other matters.
Justice Pinheiro ruled that all applications, including those for injunctions and jurisdictional challenges, would be heard together on the adjourned date. She also directed all parties to file, serve, and exchange their processes before the next hearing.
Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker followed intervention by the leadership of the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC), which led to Meranda stepping down from the position and returning to her role as Deputy Speaker. Despite the political resolution, Obasa’s refusal to withdraw the lawsuit suggests ongoing tensions between him and other lawmakers.
Meranda, in her address vacating the Speaker’s seat, explained that her decision was made in respect for the party’s supremacy, not out of cowardice. Several lawmakers also expressed their support for Meranda, with many stating that they accepted Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker out of respect for the party.
