Obasa challenges allegations of misconduct, as hearing adjourned till March 10
...LP woos 36 Lagos lawmakers ahead of 2027
...Slams APC’S alleged anti-democracy tactics
By Sodiq Adelakun
The reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is not backing down in his legal battle against the allegations that led to his ousting by 35 lawmakers on January 13, 2025.
Obasa has taken his case to the Ikeja High Court, where he is contesting accusations of fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.
At the hearing before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, proceedings were adjourned until Monday, March 10, 2025, to allow for the consideration of all applications, including Obasa’s originating summons.
His legal counsel, Afolabi Fasanu, SAN, emphasised that despite Obasa’s reinstatement, the legal fight remains critical.
“The case is still very much relevant,” Fasanu stated, reiterating that the fundamental issues of fraud and misconduct were not properly addressed by the legislative body before the removal. “We are here to ensure justice prevails,” he added.
Representing the 34 lawmakers who are defendants in the case, Romeo Michael maintained that their counterclaim stands, regardless of whether Obasa withdraws his suit.
Michael argued that the lawmakers’ removal of Obasa was constitutional, referencing Section 92 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
“The removal was not only in line with Lagos Assembly rules, but also upheld the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” Michael stated.
The court’s decision on March 10 will determine whether Obasa’s allegations against his removal will proceed, potentially setting a significant legal precedent for future disputes within the legislative process.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) has extended an open invitation to the 36 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly who backed the removal of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and installed his deputy, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, as the new Speaker.
In a statement released to the press, Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, called the APC’s interference in the leadership of the Lagos State Assembly an undemocratic act that must be challenged.
Arabambi argued that the 36 lawmakers who supported Meranda’s removal acted in the interest of democracy and now have a place in the Labour Party’s campaign to wrest power from the APC in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
“The Labour Party condemns in the strongest terms the APC’s manipulation to restore Obasa as Speaker despite ongoing allegations against him,” Arabambi said.
Arabambi went further, criticising the silence of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu regarding the speaker’s impeachment saga.
He called on Sanwo-Olu’s administration to address the allegations against Obasa and stop the alleged cover-up.
Arabambi also demanded that failure to act on these allegations should lead to the Governor’s resignation or the commencement of impeachment proceedings against him.
The Labour Party spokesperson reiterated the party’s appreciation to the 36 lawmakers for their interest in joining LP and supporting the candidacy of Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who ran for governor in 2023 and was denied victory due to alleged election rigging.
“We are confident that with Rhodes-Vivour leading the charge, Lagos State will finally be rid of APC’s stranglehold by 2027,” Arabambi said.
The LP has positioned itself as a strong opposition force, seeking to capitalize on the divisions within the state’s ruling APC faction and advocating for change in leadership by mobilising voters ahead of the next election.
Arabambi also dismissed negative comments made by former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Abdul-Azeez Adeniran, emphasizing that Rhodes-Vivour remains the sole LP candidate for the Lagos governorship seat in 2027.