Obasa’s impeachment: 35 Lagos lawmakers storm court for Meranda

No fewer than 35 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Friday, February 28, 2025, stormed the Lagos State High Court for the hearing of the suit filed by Mudashiru Obasa over his removal as the Speaker of the House.

Obasa had gone to court to challenge his removal by 36 of his colleagues on January 13, 2025.

In the application dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa claimed that he was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.

The impeached Speaker, on Thursday, February 27, said he was never removed as the Speaker of the House.

Obasa, who stormed the assembly complex on Thursday, also said he had returned to the House to take charge.

The visit was Obasa’s first appearance at the complex after he was impeached by his colleagues in January over alleged misconduct and financial impropriety.

Obasa returned on a day the security details of Mojisola Meranda, who was elected by the lawmakers immediately after Obasa’s removal, were withdrawn.

Victor Ganzalo, Meranda’s media aide, who confirmed the withdrawal of his principal’s security aides via a statement, added that all personnel providing security at the assembly complex had been withdrawn.

Obasa, however, told assembly correspondents that his security details had been restored and that he was back to his position as speaker.

Obasa: Meranda resigned as Lagos Assembly Speaker at peace meeting

Meanwhile, the House has condemned what it described as an invasion on Thursday.

The House said this in a statement issued by its spokesman, Steve Ogundipe, on Friday.

The statement read: “The Lagos State House of Assembly wishes to bring to the attention of Lagosians, Nigerians, and the global community an incident that occurred on Thursday, involving an unsanctioned attempt to convene a plenary session by the former Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, alongside three members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the rules governing plenary sessions of the House are clear. A valid sitting requires a formal notice to all members, the presence of a quorum, an approved agenda, and the mace – an essential symbol of legislative authority.

“None of these procedural requirements was met during the purported session, with only 5 out of 40 members present, rendering it unconstitutional and without legislative effect.”

Ogundipe added that the House remains steadfast in upholding the integrity of the legislature and is committed to maintaining the highest parliamentary standards.

He stated that the House aligns with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in working towards “a constructive resolution of misunderstandings”, adding that the House will continue to work in the interest of Lagosians.

The Star