JUST-IN: Court Declares Obasa’s Impeachment Illegal, Voids Lagos Assembly Proceedings

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Wednesday declared the impeachment of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal and unconstitutional.

The court also nullified all proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly carried out on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was removed in absentia.

Justice Pinheiro gave the ruling while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Obasa against 36 members of the House, in which he challenged both the legality of his removal and the criminal allegations that were made against him.

The suit also listed Obasa’s successor, Speaker Mojisola Meranda, as a respondent. Obasa contended that his impeachment was procedurally flawed, having been carried out:

• While the Assembly was on recess

• During a period he was outside the country

Despite a political resolution that saw Obasa reinstated as Speaker and Meranda returning to her position as Deputy Speaker, the court case continued.

Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), argued that the grounds for his removal—allegations of fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct—were frivolous and baseless.

The court agreed with Obasa’s arguments, asserting that the due process of law was not followed and that the Assembly’s actions violated constitutional procedures.

This judgment is expected to set a significant legal precedent on the impeachment of legislative leaders and the sanctity of due process in state parliamentary proceedings.