In a dramatic turn of events, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has ruled that the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly was illegal, unconstitutional, and invalid.
The decision, delivered on Wednesday, nullifies the Assembly’s January 13, 2025 session—during which Obasa was controversially ousted—and reinstates him as the rightful Speaker.
Obasa, who challenged his removal in court, had argued that the Assembly was on recess and that he was outside the country at the time of the alleged impeachment. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Afolabi Fashanu, filed the lawsuit on February 12, naming the Lagos House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda—who had been declared the new Speaker—as defendants.
According to Obasa, the session that removed him from office was unlawfully convened without proper authority or constitutional procedure, and without any official delegation of power from the Speaker’s office.
Backed by nine legal grounds, Obasa cited the 1999 Constitution and the Assembly’s Standing Orders, arguing that due process was clearly violated.
The court agreed.
Justice Pinheiro declared all proceedings and resolutions from the January 13 sitting null and void, rendering every decision taken that day—including Obasa’s removal—legally baseless.
With this judgment, Mudashiru Obasa has officially reclaimed his position as Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, marking a powerful comeback in one of Nigeria’s most influential legislative chambers.
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