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Tag: Lagos Assembly

  • Lagos Assembly Crisis: Court adjourns hearing to March 7

    Lagos Assembly Crisis: Court adjourns hearing to March 7

    Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has adjourned the hearing of all pending applications in the lawsuit filed by former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to March 7.

    Obasa sued the Lagos State Government and the Assembly, challenging what he described as his unlawful removal from office.

    The lawsuit, filed on February 14, 2025, also lists the current Speaker, Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, as a defendant.

    During today’s proceedings, Assembly members loyal to Speaker Meranda filed an application seeking to be joined as defendants in the case.

  • ‘Show of shame’: Meranda condemns Obasa’s ‘invasion’ of Lagos Assembly

    ‘Show of shame’: Meranda condemns Obasa’s ‘invasion’ of Lagos Assembly

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has criticised ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s actions, describing his entry into the Assembly complex as a “show of shame.”

    Obasa, accompanied by his security officials, entered the Assembly complex on Thursday and gained access to the Speaker’s office, TodayPriceNG earlier reported.

    He later presided over a four-member parliamentary session after suing the state government and the Assembly, challenging his removal as unlawful.

    On Friday, 35 lawmakers who supported Obasa’s removal attended the Lagos State High Court for the hearing of the case he filed.

    Speaking after the court session, Meranda emphasized that the legal battle was just beginning and urged all parties to allow their legal teams to handle the proceedings.

    “This is actually just the beginning. Just like what happened in there, both parties have their representatives, and I think we should allow the legal team to do their job,” she said.

    Meranda condemned Obasa’s actions, stating that while he remained a member of the House and had the right to access the complex, forcefully entering the Speaker’s office was unacceptable.

    “I think he is still a member of the House of Assembly, so he has every right to come, but the invasion and breaking into my office, that is really a big one.

    “To me, that was just a show of shame because, in our job, we have numbers that form a quorum. So if you are sitting with three or four members, you are only doing theatre,” she added.

    The speaker also noted that while her previously withdrawn security detail had been restored, it was not at the usual level of protection she received.

    “I have three or four policemen, whereas my normal convoy, my team… 12 policemen, four DSS, and two anti-bomb units. But I don’t have that this morning,” she said.

  • Confusion in court as lawyers clash over Lagos Assembly representation

    Confusion in court as lawyers clash over Lagos Assembly representation

    A legal standoff erupted at the Lagos State High Court on Friday as two senior lawyers laid claim to representing the Lagos State House of Assembly in a high-profile case filed by Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, who is challenging his removal as Speaker.

    Obasa’s suit, numbered ID/9047GCM/2025 and heard before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, contests the legality of the Assembly’s sitting on January 13, 2025, during its recess, where the decision to impeach him was made. His lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, argued that the sitting was unconstitutional, as the Speaker neither reconvened the House nor delegated authority.

    However, court proceedings took an unexpected turn when Abang Mkpandiok challenged the appearance of Femi Falana, SAN, who had been representing the Assembly. Mkpandiok claimed he had been newly briefed by the Assembly and had filed a motion to replace Falana as counsel.

    Falana, in response, objected, stating he had not been formally served with any notice of the change.

    After reviewing court records, Justice Pinheiro ruled that Mkpandiok’s application was premature as it had not been properly served on all parties. The court deferred the matter until due process was followed.

    Meanwhile, 33 members of the Lagos Assembly have filed a motion seeking to join the suit, asserting their interest in the case.

    Justice Pinheiro scheduled the hearing of all pending applications for March 7.

    Speaking to journalists after the session, current Speaker Mojosola Lasbat Meranda dismissed reports of her resignation and condemned Obasa’s alleged invasion of the Assembly complex. She also revealed that her full security detail had yet to be restored.

  • Speaker Meranda Names Principal Officers, Pledges Greater Lagos

    Speaker Meranda Names Principal Officers, Pledges Greater Lagos

    The newly appointed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has reaffirmed her commitment to working with other arms of government to achieve the vision of a “Greater Lagos.”

    Presiding over her first session as Speaker on Friday, Meranda announced the appointment of new principal officers to lead the House.

    Temitope Adedeji, representing Ifako/Ijaye Constituency 1, was named Majority Leader, while Richard Kasunmu of Ikeja Constituency 2 assumed the role of Deputy Majority Leader. David Setonji was appointed Chief Whip, and Ganiyu Sanni, representing Kosofe Constituency 1, became the Deputy Chief Whip.

    Meranda also unveiled the Selection Committee, which she will chair. The committee members include Deputy Speaker Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju Lekki Constituency 1), Majority Leader Temitope Adedeji, Chief Whip David Setonji, and Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency 2). Acting Clerk Taiwo Ottun will serve as the committee’s secretary.

    In her inaugural address, Meranda expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her by her colleagues and reiterated her dedication to serving Lagosians.

    “I am truly grateful for the confidence you have placed in me, and I pledge to work tirelessly to uphold the virtues of transparency and good governance that this House stands for,” she said.

    She emphasized the shared responsibilities of lawmakers as representatives of the people.

    “Today, we are reminded of the shared responsibilities that rest on our shoulders as representatives of the good people of Lagos State. We are the guardians of this collective trust, and we must work to justify the faith they have placed in us.”

    Meranda pledged to foster collaboration with the Executive arm, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure seamless governance.

    “The synergy between us and other arms of government is crucial for good governance and democratic development. To achieve this, we must commit to maintaining an open line of communication with the Executive, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. By doing so, we stand united to ensure that our vision aligns with that of the Executive for a better state,” she said.

    She called for unity within the Assembly, urging members to focus on delivering improved services to Lagosians while leaving past disagreements behind.

    “There is no division among us. We are united, and that is where we will draw our strength to take bold steps. Together, we will strive to create a more inclusive democracy where every citizen feels valued, respected, and empowered,” Meranda concluded.

  • Tinubu Attempted to Mediate Lagos Assembly Crisis Before Obasa’s Impeachment, Says APC Chieftain

    Tinubu Attempted to Mediate Lagos Assembly Crisis Before Obasa’s Impeachment, Says APC Chieftain

    Fouad Oki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made efforts to resolve the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly before Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached.

    On Monday, lawmakers impeached Obasa over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety. He was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

    Speaking on Channels Television, Oki said Tinubu intervened during the Christmas holiday after the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) brought the matter to his attention. However, Obasa’s alleged unwillingness to cooperate led to his removal.

    “Before the president came home, this issue had been lingering. In the wisdom of members of the GAC, the president’s attention was called,” Oki said.

    “The president, as father and leader, called a meeting wherein he tried to make sense of the observations raised by elders of the party. Unfortunately, the president saw himself as a recalcitrant Obasa. I think that is what broke the camel’s back.”

    Oki described Obasa’s impeachment as the result of longstanding tensions within the assembly and the former speaker’s failure to heed the advice of party elders.

     

  • Lagos Assembly Impeaches Speaker Obasa, Elects First Female Speaker

    Lagos Assembly Impeaches Speaker Obasa, Elects First Female Speaker

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Mudashiru Obasa as its speaker, citing allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct.

    Following the impeachment, the lawmakers elected Mojisola Meranda, the representative of Apapa I, as the new speaker.

    Meranda, who took her oath of office immediately, makes history as the first female speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    During her swearing-in, Meranda pledged her commitment to the Constitution and her duties as speaker.

    “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; that I will perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully, and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Meranda said.

    Obasa, 52, had served as speaker since 2015 and was a prominent figure in the state’s legislature.