By Dansu Peter In a significant ruling, the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the reinstatement of Olalekan Onafeko, t...
By Dansu Peter
The court’s decision follows an ex parte application filed by Onafeko through his counsel, Yusuf Nurudeen, in a suit challenging his removal. The case, marked NICN/LA/23/2025, was instituted against the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and Mr. Babatunde Ottun.
Onafeko was relieved of his duties on January 13 following the controversial removal of Obasa as Speaker. His exit coincided with the emergence of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker, a development that reshaped the Assembly’s leadership and led to Babatunde Ottun’s appointment as acting Clerk.
The court, however, has now ruled in favor of Onafeko, ordering that the pre-crisis status quo be restored. Justice M. N. Esowe, granting the ex parte order, directed Ottun to cease parading himself as Clerk and maintained that Onafeko should return to his position pending the determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
“That both parties shall maintain the peace and status quo ante bellum until the motion on notice is heard and determined,” the judge ruled.
The matter has been adjourned to March 3, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Observers say the ruling is a boost for Obasa’s allies, who have been challenging the leadership changes in the Lagos Assembly. The development could set the stage for further legal and political battles in the coming weeks.
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