- Obasa’s legal team reaffirmed their intention to continue pursuing the lawsuit challenging his removal as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly
- Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) clarified that Obasa would not return to the Assembly until a court ruling is issued, citing the potential illegality of rejoining before the judicial decision
- A court hearing was scheduled for February 28, 2025, to hear the case of Obasa’s removal and legal challenge
The legal team representing Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly has confirmed that they had no intention of withdrawing the lawsuit challenging his removal.
Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa’s lead counsel, expressed readiness for the court hearing scheduled on February 28, despite ongoing political efforts to resolve the crisis in the Assembly.
Obasa files lawsuit against Meranda, Assembly over removal
Fashanu clarified that Obasa would not return to the Assembly until a court ruling was issued. He further explained that rejoining the Assembly before the court’s decision could be considered illegal, as the case was already under judicial review.
Obasa, who was removed as Speaker on January 13, 2025, had filed a legal suit against the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and the Assembly in the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking legal redress.
Since the removal of Obasa and the appointment of Meranda, the Lagos Assembly has been in a state of turmoil. To assist in resolving the issue, President Bola Tinubu enlisted former governors Bisi Akande of Osun State and Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State.
The two leaders conducted extensive meetings with all parties involved, reportedly spanning from Sunday to Monday.
The mediation panel proposed that both Obasa and Meranda step down from the speakership, suggesting that a new Speaker be chosen from the Lagos West Senatorial District.
It was also reported that the panel recommended Obasa withdraw his legal action against the Assembly. Furthermore, they advised Obasa to voluntarily resign from the speakership, with plans to brief President Tinubu on the outcome of their intervention.
Fashanu clarifies Obasa’s return to Assembly, others
When questioned about the potential withdrawal of the lawsuit following the political mediation, Fashanu stated that he had not been informed of any such decision by Obasa.
“Well, that intervention, for me, is still a rumour, because nothing of such has been communicated to us, as the legal team. So, what we all read in newspapers, we don’t even know the genuineness or authenticity of the news on the purported settlement.
“Our client has not communicated anything to us in the nature of withdrawal. So, we are still preparing for the case until otherwise.”
He reiterated the commitment of the legal team to continue supporting Obasa’s case and emphasised that, as legal representatives, they would do their utmost to advocate for their client’s interests.
“Don’t forget that we are not the judge that will decide the case. But on our part, we will put in our maximum effort, and we believe he has a very good case. So, subject to the overriding power of the deciding judge, we are good to go.”
On whether a cordial resolution would be preferable to continuing with the legal case, Fashanu indicated that he was not a politician and believed his client was best positioned to make that decision.
“Let me first of all start by saying I am not a politician. So, the political aspect of it will probably be left to the players. But our client will be in a better position to know whether the terms of settlement that are being arranged will be in his best interest.”
He also noted that the defendants in the case had yet to file their response to the legal suit.
Lagos Assembly: Speaker Meranda denies resignation, Obasa debunks firearms allegations
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Speaker Mojisola Meranda denied claims of her resignation while Mudashiru Obasa rejected reports linking him to the alleged discovery of firearms in his former office.
According to the report, the Lagos State House of Assembly also debunked rumours about mass defections to the Labour Party, calling the reports false.