BREAKING: Lagos High Court Declares Obasa’s Removal as Speaker Illegal and Unconstitutional

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also “nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted”.

Obasa had filed a lawsuit against the House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda, who was named the new Speaker, challenging the legitimacy of the process that led to his removal. Through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that the decision to remove him was made by 36 lawmakers while the Assembly was on recess and he was out of the country. He maintained that the session was “improperly held, as it lacked his authorisation or a formal delegation of power, contravening the Assembly’s established rules”.

Obasa’s legal challenge was anchored on nine grounds, referencing relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The court’s ruling effectively reinstates Obasa as Speaker and renders all decisions made during the contested session null and void.