The leadership crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly took another dramatic twist on Wednesday as the Lagos High Court nullified the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, declaring his removal illegal and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro set aside all proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted as Speaker.
Obasa had filed a suit challenging his removal, naming the House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda, who was appointed Speaker in his place, as defendants. The suit, filed on February 12, 2025, through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), argued that his removal was conducted while the Assembly was on recess and he was out of the country.
He further contended that the session at which he was removed was unlawfully convened, lacking any legitimate authority or delegation of power from his office as Speaker.
Obasa’s legal challenge was based on nine grounds, citing the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He argued that due process was not followed in the impeachment process.
In a controversial move ahead of the ruling, Obasa unilaterally changed the legal counsel representing the Assembly in court, a decision that sparked outrage among the 35 lawmakers who had earlier endorsed his removal.
With the court’s ruling, Obasa is reinstated as Speaker, and all decisions made during the disputed sitting have been rendered null and void.
