Obasa’s reinstatement suit adjourned amid fraud allegations

Mudashiru Obasa court case adjourned to March 2025. New fraud allegations surface, delaying hearing of his reinstatement challenge

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he hearing of a suit filed by reinstated Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, challenging his earlier removal, has been adjourned to March 17, 2025, by Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

Also read: Group alleges plot to Invalidate Obasa’s impeachment as speaker of Lagos Assembly

Obasa is contesting his removal as Speaker on January 13, 2025, following allegations of fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct leveled against him by 35 lawmakers.

The respondents in the suit include members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

At Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that Obasa’s legal team had served further affidavits on the same day, prompting the need for an adjournment.

“The claimant’s counsel served us further affidavits today, challenging my clients to respond,” Falana stated.

Counsel for Meranda, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), also noted that the newly filed affidavits contained serious fraud allegations against his client.

“There are serious fraud allegations in the further affidavits my learned brother referred to. We shall be asking for an adjournment to respond to the new application,” Oyetibo said.

Additionally, Olusola Idowu (SAN) announced his appearance as an incoming counsel representing the House of Assembly.

Falana urged the court to address the application for a change of counsel before considering other applications, citing a Court of Appeal decision.

Justice Pinheiro ruled that all applications and processes before the court would be heard together on the next adjourned date.

“All applications, including those seeking injunctions and those challenging jurisdiction, will be heard on March 17, 2025. The application concerning the change of counsel will also be addressed on the same day,” Pinheiro stated.

She directed all parties to file, serve, and exchange their processes before the next hearing.

Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker followed the intervention of the Lagos All Progressives Congress leadership, with Meranda stepping down to return to her role as Deputy Speaker.

However, Obasa’s refusal to withdraw the suit indicates ongoing tensions between him and other lawmakers.

Also read: Mudashiru Obasa returns as Lagos Speaker after resignation of Mojisola Meranda

Meranda, in her resignation address, emphasized that her decision was based on party supremacy, not cowardice. Lawmakers also praised Meranda and acknowledged their acceptance of Obasa’s reinstatement out of respect for the party. The Mudashiru Obasa court case will continue in 2025.

Quadri Olaitan