Operatives of the Department of State Security and the Nigeria Police, in the early hours of Monday, took control of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the Clerk of the House.
By 10 a.m., armed security personnel had stationed themselves around the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, conducting thorough checks on passersby.
Despite the heightened security, Speaker Meranda arrived with her convoy at approximately 11:15 a.m.
This development comes amid the ongoing legal battle initiated by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was controversially removed from office on January 13, 2025, while he was in the United States.
His removal, backed by 32 out of 40 Assembly members, has since sparked division within the Governance Advisory Council,the highest decision-making body of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
Even President Bola Tinubu reportedly described the situation as a “coup.”
In response to his removal, Obasa has taken legal action against the Lagos State House of Assembly and Speaker Meranda.
His suit, filed on February 12, 2025, at the Ikeja High Court, seeks an accelerated hearing and challenges the constitutionality of his impeachment.
The legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, outlined key reliefs sought in the suit, including, “An order fixing a date for the expeditious hearing of the originating summons.
“An order of this Honourable Court abridging the time within which the Defendants may file their response by way of counter affidavits/written addresses as specified by the Rules of this Honourable Court, to 7 days after the hearing and determination of this Application.
“An order of this Honourable Court abridging the time within which the Plaintiff/Applicant may file its Reply of points law, as specified in the Rules of this Honourable Court, to 3 days of the service of the Defendants processes on him.”
Obasa’s application is based on nine legal grounds, primarily focusing on constitutional provisions and the Standing Order of the Lagos Assembly.
The suit stated, “This application is predicated among which he stated the suit concerns the interpretation of Sections 36; 90; 92(2)(c); 101 and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) vis-à-vis ORDER V RULE 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) OF RULES AND STANDING ORDER OF LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (which enjoy constitutional flavor and status).
“The action borders on the constitutionality or otherwise of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly of the 13th January, 2025 where the Plaintiff herein, as Honourable Speaker was said to be impeached.
“This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.
“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the State is not stalled.
“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.
“The nature of this action is such that is required to be heard and determined expeditiously having regard to the exceptional circumstances surrounding same.
“There is need to abridge the time within which the Defendants may file their response to the originating summon as well as time within which the claimant/Applicant may file its reply on point of law.
“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.
“It is expedient to grant accelerated hearing of this action and abridgment of time for parties to file the relevant processes in the interest of justice.”
Obasa asserts that granting his application will not disadvantage any party involved, emphasizing the necessity of an urgent resolution to restore order to the Assembly.
With tensions mounting, all eyes are on the judiciary as it navigates this high-stakes political and constitutional battle in Lagos State.
