Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has taken legal action against the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, challenging his removal from office.
Obasa has filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, seeking an accelerated hearing of his case.
His impeachment, carried out in absentia by 32 out of 40 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, while he was in the U.S., has been described as a “coup” by President Bola Tinubu.
The development has sparked controversy, with members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex political decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, divided over the legitimacy of Obasa’s removal.
In the suit filed by his legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa is seeking several court orders, including: A date for an expedited hearing of the case. An order reducing the time for the defendants to respond to seven days. An order reducing the time for him to file a reply to three days.
Obasa’s legal challenge is based on the interpretation of several sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The suit argues that the impeachment proceedings violated constitutional provisions and House rules, particularly regarding: The constitutionality of the January 13 sitting, which took place during a recess without the Speaker reconvening the House. The legal standing of the Assembly’s current leadership under Meranda. The urgency of resolving the dispute to prevent disruptions in legislative activities.
Obasa insists that his application for an expedited hearing will serve the public interest and ensure justice.
He maintains that none of the parties involved would suffer any prejudice from the court’s intervention.
