Lagos Assembly Crisis: 36 Lawmakers Insist on Counterclaims Against Obasa as Court Adjourns Suit to March 10

By Dansu Peter  The ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as 36 lawmakers have stood firm on ...

By Dansu Peter 

The ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a new turn as 36 lawmakers have stood firm on their counterclaims against reinstated Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, insisting that his impeachment was constitutional.

At the Ikeja High Court on Friday, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro adjourned the case to March 10, directing all parties to file and serve their processes before the next hearing. The suit, filed by Obasa, challenges the legality of his January 13 removal over allegations of fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

Obasa’s lead counsel, Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), argued that his client had not been granted a fair hearing before the impeachment, making the case still relevant despite his reinstatement. “The allegations contained in the notice of his removal must still be addressed,” Fasanu told the court.

However, the legal team representing 34 lawmakers, led by Romeo Ese-Michael, maintained that Obasa’s removal was valid under Section 92 of the 1999 Constitution and in line with the Assembly’s rules. “Even if the claimant withdraws his suit due to his reinstatement, our counterclaim still stands,” Ese-Michael stated, emphasizing that the lawmakers seek judicial affirmation of Obasa’s impeachment.

Obasa was initially removed from office on January 13, with his then-deputy, Mojisola Meranda, stepping in as speaker. However, following Meranda’s resignation on March 3, Obasa was reinstated, further deepening the power struggle within the Lagos Assembly.

With both sides holding their ground, the court’s ruling on March 10 is expected to shape the future leadership dynamics of the legislative body.