Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has filed a lawsuit against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, questioning the legality of his removal.
Obasa claims that his impeachment on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country, was unlawful since the Assembly was on recess.
In his application, Obasa seeks several reliefs, including:
- Accelerated Hearing: An order fixing a date for the accelerated hearing of the case.
- Time Limitation: Shortening the time allowed for the defendants to respond with counter-affidavits or written addresses to seven days post-hearing.
- Reply Timeframe: Limiting the time for the plaintiff to file their replies on points of law to three days.
Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, focusing on the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The plaintiff challenges the constitutionality of the Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during recess without the Speaker convening the House or delegating authority.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.