M udashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has taken legal action to contest his removal, arguing that the Assembly acted unlawfully while on recess.
Obasa filed a suit at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, dragging the Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before the court. Through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, he is seeking an accelerated hearing on the matter, as stated in a motion dated February 12, 2025.
Obasa, who was outside the country at the time, was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers. Upon his return, he disputed his removal, asserting that he remains the legitimate Speaker.
Among his legal demands, Obasa is requesting the court to set a date for an expedited hearing of the originating summons and to reduce the response time for the defendants to seven days after the application’s hearing and determination. He also seeks an order shortening the time for the plaintiff to file replies on points of law to three days.
The legal challenge is anchored on constitutional provisions, including sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as specific rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Standing Orders.
Part of the motion states: "This action questions the constitutionality of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or delegating such powers to another person. Public interest necessitates an expedited resolution to prevent legislative disruptions. The court possesses inherent authority to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time."
As of the time of this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Agboola Aluko, reporting for GLiDE NEWS.
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