Court Set Date To Hear Obasa’s Suit Against Meranda, Others

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has postponed the hearing of a lawsuit initiated by Mudashiru Obasa, the reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, to March 17, 2025.

Obasa is contesting his removal from the position of Speaker on January 13, 2025, which was based on allegations of fraud, authoritarianism, abuse of office, and gross misconduct made by 35 lawmakers.

The defendants in this case include members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

The court had initially set the hearing for March 10, 2025; however, during Monday’s proceedings, Femi Falana (SAN), representing the House of Assembly, informed the court that Obasa’s legal team, led by Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), had submitted additional affidavits on that same day.

“The claimant’s counsel has served us with further affidavits today, prompting my clients to respond,” Falana remarked.

Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), counsel for Meranda, also pointed out that the newly submitted affidavits included serious allegations of fraud against his client.

“There are significant fraud allegations in the additional affidavits mentioned by my learned colleague. We will be requesting an adjournment to address the new application,” Oyetibo stated.

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Furthermore, Olusola Idowu (SAN) announced his role as the new counsel representing the House of Assembly in this matter.

In response, Falana urged the court to prioritize the application for a change of counsel before addressing any other applications.

He referenced a ruling from the Court of Appeal, which requires that a trial court must first consider an application for a change of counsel before proceeding with other matters.

In response, Justice Pinheiro ruled that all applications and processes before the court would be heard together on the next adjourned date.

“All applications, including those seeking injunctions and those challenging jurisdiction, will be heard on March 17, 2025. The application concerning the change of counsel will also be addressed on the same day,” Pinheiro stated.

All parties have been instructed to file, serve, and exchange their documents prior to the upcoming hearing.

Following the intervention of the leadership of the Lagos All Progressives Congress, Obasa was reinstated as the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, while Meranda was encouraged to step down and resume her role as Deputy Speaker.

Obasa’s decision to maintain the lawsuit, which was initiated before the political intervention, indicates that tensions may still exist between him and the other legislators.

In her statement regarding her departure from the Speaker’s position, Meranda expressed that her choice was made in recognition of the party’s authority and not from a place of fear.

During a session filled with emotion, many lawmakers commended Meranda, emphasizing that their acceptance of Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker was rooted in their respect for the party.