Former Lagos Speaker Obasa, challenges ouster in court

The political crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has deepened as Mudashiru Obasa, the embattled former Speaker, heads to court to challenge his dramatic removal from office.

Obasa, who was ousted on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country, has now approached a State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his removal was unconstitutional since the Assembly was on recess at the time.

In a motion filed on February 12, 2025, his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, is seeking an accelerated hearing of the case. The suit names the Lagos State House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as defendants.

Among the reliefs sought by Obasa is an order fixing an urgent date for the hearing of his case and abridging the response time for the defendants to seven days. His motion also requests that the court limit the period for his legal team to file a reply to just three days.

At the heart of his case is the interpretation of key constitutional provisions, including sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Rules and Standing Orders. His legal argument hinges on whether the Assembly had the authority to convene and remove him without his consent or an official reconvening order.

READ ALSO: Obasa absent as new Lagos Assembly Speaker moves into office

“This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House,” the motion states.

Obasa’s legal team insists that the matter is of urgent public interest, arguing that an expedited hearing is necessary to prevent disruptions to legislative activities in the state. “Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled,” the motion further asserts.

The legal battle raises broader questions about the stability of Lagos State’s legislative leadership and whether Obasa’s removal will stand judicial scrutiny.

As of the time of filing this report, no date has been set for the hearing of the suit.

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