“Lagos Assembly Sealed by Security as Obasa Fights Impeachment in Court”

In the early hours of Monday, armed personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the House clerk. By 10 am, security forces had taken control of the premises at Alausa, Ikeja, screening passersby. Meranda eventually arrived with her convoy at around 11:15 am.

This dramatic development follows a legal challenge by Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the House, who is seeking the reversal of his removal on January 13, 2025. Obasa, who was in the United States at the time, claims the decision was unconstitutional, describing the situation as a “coup.” He has filed a suit at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, requesting accelerated hearing of his case. The motion, filed on February 12, 2025, lists the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and the Lagos Assembly as defendants.

Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, is seeking several reliefs, including urgent hearings to expedite the legal process. The former Speaker challenges the legality of his removal and the constitutionality of the House’s proceedings on January 13, which took place during recess without his reconvening the House. His application points to sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the House’s rules and standing orders as the basis for the challenge.

Obasa insists that an expedited hearing is necessary to prevent further disruption of legislative activities in the state. His legal team argues that no party involved in the case would suffer prejudice if the application for accelerated proceedings is granted.