Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), the legal representative for the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Sunday firmly dismissed claims that his client would drop the lawsuit against former Speaker Mojisola Meranda and other Assembly members. Despite rumors suggesting that the leadership crisis at the Assembly was close to resolution, with President Bola Tinubu reportedly brokering a settlement, Fashanu stated that the legal proceedings would continue as planned, pending the court’s judgment.
Fashanu, speaking to journalists, confirmed that the legal team is awaiting the judgment, having already concluded their arguments. “We have concluded,” Fashanu asserted, dismissing any suggestion that Obasa might reconsider the suit. “There is no going back. The court will decide when it will deliver its judgment, and we are just waiting for that,” he added.
This legal battle follows a leadership crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly, which erupted after Obasa was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, in a controversial move. Obasa filed the suit challenging the legality of the proceedings that led to his ousting, and Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court reserved judgment on March 17, 2025, after hearing various preliminary objections from the defense. While the parties await the ruling, Fashanu made it clear that no further legal actions, such as withdrawing the suit, would be taken.
Otunba Henry Ajomale, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos and a member of the Governance Advisory Council, had speculated that Obasa might drop the case, especially after President Tinubu intervened to resolve the crisis. In an interview, Ajomale expressed confidence that Obasa would soon withdraw the suit, given that the national APC leadership had mediated the return of Obasa as Speaker.
On March 3, 2025, Obasa was re-elected Speaker following Meranda’s resignation. Her tenure, which lasted for 49 days, had been marred by intense infighting within the Assembly. The crisis was eventually addressed after multiple rounds of discussions facilitated by the national leadership of the APC, with President Tinubu playing a pivotal role in encouraging reconciliation among lawmakers.
Despite the apparent resolution of the leadership conflict, the Lagos Assembly has not resumed its plenary sessions since Obasa’s re-election. The House has adjourned sine die, with the clerk suggesting that the Assembly would reconvene after the Sallah break. However, committee activities have continued during this period, and the House remains operational in this capacity.
Additionally, sources close to Obasa revealed that the Speaker has traveled for the holy pilgrimage in Mecca, a move that further delays any immediate actions in the ongoing crisis.
As the lawsuit progresses and political maneuvers continue behind the scenes, all eyes remain on the Lagos State House of Assembly, waiting for the final judgment and further developments in the complex leadership dispute.
