Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has nullified the January 13, 2025, impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, declaring the process unconstitutional.
Obasa, who had served as Speaker since 2015, was removed by 36 lawmakers citing allegations of gross misconduct and financial impropriety. His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the Assembly. The impeachment occurred while Obasa was reportedly abroad, leading him to challenge the legality of the proceedings.
The court’s decision invalidated all resolutions and decisions made during the controversial January 13 session and awarded Obasa ₦500,000 in damages. Justice Pinheiro emphasized that the actions of the majority lawmakers, including Meranda’s emergence as Speaker, were unconstitutional.
Obasa was reinstated as Speaker on March 3, 2025, following Meranda’s resignation amid internal party pressures and interventions from political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu. The court’s ruling further solidifies Obasa’s position and underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures in legislative processes.
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