The legal team representing the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has confirmed that there are no plans to withdraw the legal challenge against his removal.
Speaking on Tuesday, Obasa’s lead counsel, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), said the team is ready for the court hearing scheduled for February 28, despite ongoing political efforts to resolve the Assembly crisis.
Fashanu clarified that Obasa intends to remain away from the Assembly until the court delivers its verdict. According to him, returning before the judgment would be inappropriate while the case is still active.
Obasa was removed from office by a majority of lawmakers on January 13, 2025. In response, he filed a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja against the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, and the Assembly, seeking legal redress.
Upon learning of his impeachment while in the United States, Obasa rejected the decision, citing procedural irregularities. After returning to Lagos on January 25, he addressed journalists, stating:
“My status in the house? I strongly believe I am still the Speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it.”
Political mediation efforts, involving prominent APC leaders like Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, have been ongoing. The panel reportedly suggested that both Obasa and Meranda step down, with another lawmaker from Lagos West potentially taking over the speakership. The panel may also recommend that Obasa withdraw the lawsuit.
When asked about this, Fashanu said he had not received any communication from his client about dropping the case.
“Well, that intervention, for me, is still a rumour, because nothing of such has been communicated to us, as the legal team. So, what we all read in newspapers, we don’t even know the genuineness or authenticity of the news on the purported settlement.
“Our client has not communicated anything to us in the nature of withdrawal. So, we are still preparing for the case until otherwise.”
Fashanu emphasized that the legal team remains committed to defending Obasa’s interests in court, adding:
“Nothing is certain in life except death. All we can say is that, as lawyers, we will try our best to facilitate the cause of our clients. Don’t forget that we are not the judge that will decide the case. But on our part, we will put in our maximum effort, and we believe he has a very good case.”
Regarding the possibility of Obasa returning to the Assembly before a court ruling, Fashanu said such a move would be unlawful:
“That means he will be taking laws into his own hands, and I don’t think he would want to do that. If he had wanted to do that, I’m sure from day two or day three, he would have done that (returning to the House).”
(PUNCH)
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