Kehinde Fajobi
In the early hours of Monday, personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police took control of the Lagos State House of Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja.
The security forces sealed off the offices of the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the House Clerk. By 10 am, the area was under heavy surveillance, with officers frisking passersby. Meranda, however, arrived with her convoy at 11:15 am.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker. Obasa, who was ousted in absentia on January 13, 2025, while in the United States, has challenged his dismissal in court.
Obasa has filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, seeking expedited hearings for his suit against the Lagos Assembly.
The motion, which was filed on February 12, 2025, names the House and current Speaker Mojisola Meranda as defendants.
In his suit, Obasa seeks several reliefs, including an order for an expedited hearing and an abridged timeline for filing responses.
The case hinges on the constitutionality of the January 13 session where Obasa was removed.
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Obasa argues that the sitting, which took place during the House’s recess, was unconstitutional and violated the rules and standing orders of the Assembly.
His legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, is pushing for a swift resolution to avoid stalling legislative activities in Lagos State.
“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership… calls for an urgent determination,” the suit states, emphasizing the need for accelerated hearings. Obasa asserts that no party would suffer any injustice should the application be granted.