Armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police took over the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, February 17, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk of the house.
By 10 a.m., security personnel had fully occupied the premises, conducting thorough checks on all passersby. Despite the heavy security presence, Meranda arrived with her convoy at about 11:15 a.m.
This development comes amid a legal battle initiated by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging his recent removal from office. Obasa, who was ousted by 32 out of the 40 Assembly members on January 13, 2025, while he was in the United States, has described his impeachment as a "coup," reportedly backed by President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy surrounding his removal has split members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest political decision-making body within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Obasa has now taken legal action, filing a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, seeking an accelerated hearing of his suit. His lawsuit names the Lagos State House of Assembly and the current Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, as defendants.
In the suit, filed by his lead counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa is requesting the court to:
- Set a date for an expedited hearing of his case.
- Reduce the time allowed for the defendants to file their response to seven days.
- Limit his own response window to three days after receiving the defendants' filings.
Obasa argues that his impeachment was unconstitutional, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules and Standing Orders. He contends that the Assembly had no authority to convene and remove him while the House was in recess, without his approval as Speaker.
The former Speaker insists that the case must be resolved urgently to prevent legislative activities in the state from being disrupted. He also asserts that granting an expedited hearing would not cause any party undue hardship or injustice.
