JUST-IN: Court Declares Obasa’s Impeachment Illegal, Voids Lagos Assembly Proceedings

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on Wednesday, declared the removal of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, from office as illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Pinheiro also voided the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was impeached in absentia by members of the House.

The judge made the declarations while delivering judgement in a suit filed by Obasa against 36 other lawmakers, challenging the legality of his removal and the criminal allegations made against him.

Obasa filed the suit against the House of Assembly and his successor-Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of his removal from office.

Recall that the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly was eventually resolved with the reinstatement of Obasa as Speaker of the House and reversion of Meranda to her prior office of Deputy Speaker.

LEADERSHIP reports that the suit continued in court despite the political resolution of the matter.

In the suit, filed on February 12, 2025, by his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa contended that 36 lawmakers removed him while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.

In the suit, Obasa insisted that the allegations that led to his initial removal as Speaker, including accusations of fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct, were frivolous and false.