The controversial Lagos lawmaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has demanded legal action in finding fault over his removal as the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker.
The lawmaker brought the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before a State High Court in Ikeja, with the bone of contention that the lawmakers were at fault in his removal during the Assembly recess.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, via his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, demanded an order from the court for a speedy hearing of the suit.
Obasa, being out of the country, was eliminated as the Lagos Assembly speaker on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers.
He faulted his dismissal upon arrival to the country, announcing that he is still the speaker.
Among the solace sought by the lawmaker are order of the court fixing a date for the fastrack hearing of the originating summons, and joining the time within which the defendants may file their response by way of counter-affidavits/written addresses to seven days at the aftermath of hearing and consideration of the application.
In the motion tendered at the court on Friday, Obasa also demanded an order of the court fussing the time within which the plaintiff may file its reply of points of law to three days.
The embattled lawmaker’s motion is predicated on nine grounds, among which is the interpretation of sections 36; 90; 92(2)(c); 101 and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) vis-à-vis Order V, Rule 18(2) and Order II, Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) of Rules and Standing Order of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The motion read in parts, “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.
“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled.
“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.
“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.”
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been scheduled for the legal proceedings.
