The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mojisola Meranda, has condemned the ongoing crisis in the Assembly, describing the recent four-man plenary presided over by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa as a “shameless show of disgrace.”
Reacting to Thursday’s session, Meranda criticized the invasion of the Assembly complex by Obasa, accompanied by armed security personnel and suspected thugs, calling it a blatant disregard for democratic principles.
She also accused the Lagos State Police Command of dishonesty, disputing claims by the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, that her security details had been fully restored. Meranda clarified that instead of the standard 12 officers, she had only three policemen, with no operatives from the DSS or the anti-bomb squad attached to her.
Meanwhile, 35 out of the 40 Assembly members, including Meranda, were present at the Lagos State High Court for the hearing of a case filed by Obasa, who is challenging his removal from office by 36 lawmakers on January 13, 2025.
Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), filed an application dated February 12, 2025, contesting the legality of his removal, arguing that the decision was made while he was out of the country.
At the hearing, lawmakers loyal to Meranda applied to be joined as defendants in the suit. In a dramatic twist, Obasa sought to discontinue the case, but Justice Yetunde Pinheiro ruled in favor of joining all Assembly members and adjourned the hearing to March 7.
Representing Meranda is a team of senior lawyers led by Prof. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN). Other legal representatives for the lawmakers include Mr. Olu Daramola (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), Dr. Dada Awosika (SAN), Prof. Dayo Amokaye (SAN), Mr. Mofe Oyetibo (SAN), Mr. Olumide Oyewole, and Mr. Wunmi Okeremi.
The crisis in the Lagos Assembly remains unresolved as the legal battle intensifies.
