Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja has declared the state’s House of Assembly’s proceeding and resolutions of January 13, 2025, that led to the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker illegal and unconstitutional.

The judge held that the defendants could not validly remove the Speaker without complying with Order 2, Rule 9 of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules.

Obasa had instituted a suit before the court against the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of the process that led to his removal.

He had filed the suit through his counsel, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), contending that his removal occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.

He prayed the court to declare the process illegal and argued that the sitting was invalid as it was convened without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.

However, Justice Pinheiro, yesterday, held that only the leaders of the House have the authority to write to the Speaker to convene a meeting, and that the Chief Whip is not considered a leader for this purpose.

The judge said that under Order 7 of the House Rules, there is a defined hierarchy, and Rule 30, which relates to the authority of the Chief Whip, does not confer such powers on him.

Justice Pinheiro said that the sitting of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the purported removal of the claimant as Speaker, and the installation of the second defendant, were illegal, null and void.

The judge, therefore, awarded N500,000 damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of the claimant and for the psychological embarrassment caused to him.

Meanwhile, Obasa has described the ruling as a win for the Assembly as an institution.

“This is a victory for the Lagos House of Assembly as an institution and for our current and future members.

“The court’s decision reinforces the desire for us as members of the House to move ahead in unity and harmony and continue to work for the good of our people, our beloved Lagos State, and Nigeria,” Obasa said in a statement by his media office.

He, therefore, urged his colleagues to let bygone be bygone and continue working together in peace, harmony, and unity.

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