In the early hours of Monday, operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Police sealed the offices of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the house clerk. By 10 a.m., armed security officers had taken control of the premises at Alausa, Ikeja, thoroughly frisking passersby. Meranda arrived with her convoy around 11:15 a.m.
The former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, had previously sued state lawmakers over his removal as Speaker. Obasa, who was removed in absentia on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of the 40 Assembly members, had been in the U.S. at the time. The incident was labeled a “coup” by President Bola Tinubu. Obasa filed a motion at the Ikeja Division of the State High Court, requesting an accelerated hearing of his case.
The removal of Obasa has led to significant controversy. Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the top decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, are reportedly divided over the issue.
Obasa’s lawsuit challenges the legality of his removal. The motion, filed on February 12, 2025, and made available to Vanguard Media, lists the Lagos State House of Assembly and current Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as defendants.
