In the early hours of Monday, February 17, 2025, operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
They sealed the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the clerk of the House. By 10:00 AM, armed security personnel had taken control of the premises, conducting thorough checks on all individuals entering the area.
Despite the heightened security, Speaker Meranda arrived at the Assembly at approximately 11:15 AM with her convoy.
This action follows a legal challenge by former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of the 40 Assembly members while he was in the United States—a move President Bola Tinubu described as a “coup.”
Obasa has filed a lawsuit at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, seeking to overturn his impeachment and requesting an accelerated hearing.
The situation has sparked controversy within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, leading to divisions over the legitimacy of Obasa’s removal.
Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, contends that the Assembly’s session during recess, which led to his impeachment, was unconstitutional, as it occurred without the Speaker’s authorization.
The lawsuit seeks expedited proceedings to resolve the matter swiftly, emphasizing the need to avoid disrupting legislative functions in the state.
“An order fixing a date for the expeditious hearing of the originating summons.
“An order of this Honourable Court abridging the time within which the Defendants may file their response by way of counter affidavits/written addresses as specified by the Rules of this Honourable Court, to 7 days after the hearing and determination of this Application.
“An order of this Honourable Court abridging the time within which the Plaintiff/Applicant may file its Reply of points law, as specified in the Rules of this Honourable Court, to 3 days of the service of the Defendants processes on him.”
