“Legal Blow to Meranda: Acting Clerk Sacked Amid Assembly Crisis!”
In a surprising turn of events, the National Industrial Court in Lagos has ruled to remove the acting Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ottun Babatunde, who had been appointed by Speaker Mojisola Meranda. The court’s decision, issued on February 20, also ordered the reinstatement of Olalekan Onafeko, the former Clerk, who had held the position prior to the changes made after the removal of Speaker Obasa.
The ruling came after Onafeko filed a legal action against several parties, including the Lagos State Government, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, and others. The court issued an ex parte order in response to his suit, which was filed with the claim that no individual, including Babatunde, should be allowed to act as Clerk while the case is pending.
Lagos Assembly Crisis Deepens as Court Strips Acting Clerk of Duties
Justice M. N. Esowe granted the application, ordering that Babatunde cease presenting himself as the Clerk of the Assembly. The judge also directed both parties to maintain peace and the status quo until the case is fully heard. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly, which has been embroiled in legal battles since the removal of Speaker Obasa in January.
The motion for a permanent injunction will be heard on March 3, 2024, when the court will determine the next steps in resolving this growing dispute. The conflict over the position of Clerk comes amid mounting tensions within the Assembly following a series of dramatic events, including the indefinite adjournment of House sittings on February 12 after tensions sparked by the presence of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ex-Assembly Clerk Wins Court Battle, Returns to Office Amid Tensions
Onafeko, who served as Clerk of the House until January 13, had sought an interim injunction to prevent anyone, including Babatunde, from acting in the position until the matter is fully resolved in court. The judge’s decision to reinstate Onafeko signals a significant shift in the ongoing legal and political crisis plaguing the Assembly.
In addition to the legal battle over the clerkship, the Assembly has been a hotbed of controversy. The DSS has been involved in ensuring security at the Assembly after a violent altercation on February 17, when three workers allegedly attacked DSS personnel. Following the incident, the DSS tracked down and arrested the suspects, including Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer, and two others attached to the Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms.
DSS Arrests Three Lagos Assembly Workers After Violent Incident at the Assembly
The violence at the Assembly has escalated tensions, and the DSS was called in to provide additional security, as outlined in a letter from the acting Clerk, Ottun, dated February 14, 2025. The security agency was tasked with maintaining strict access controls at the Assembly from February 15 onwards. After analyzing CCTV footage, the DSS identified and arrested three suspects involved in the altercation.
The arrested individuals—Abdulkareem, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen, and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh—are facing charges for their involvement in the incident. However, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, confirmed that the suspects were released on bail.
This series of events highlights the intense power struggles and rising tensions within the Lagos State House of Assembly, with legal actions and violent incidents deepening the crisis.
