Legislature

Court Declares Obasa’s Removal Unconstitutional

By Web News 66

The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro nullified the House’s proceedings and resolutions of January that led to Obasa’s ouster.

Obasa had filed a suit against the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda, who was named the new Speaker, challenging the legality of the process that resulted in his removal.

Represented by his Counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that the decision to remove him was taken by 36 lawmakers while the Assembly was on recess and he was out of the country.

He maintained that the session was invalid, as it was convened without his authority or a formal delegation of power, in violation of the House’s procedures.

The suit was based on nine grounds, referencing relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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Legislature

Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly with Armed Security Men

By Web News 398

By Barnabas Hunjo

Former Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa on Thursday with the backing of heavily armed policemen took over the State Assembly. 

Our Correspondent reports that Mr Obasa forcefully took over the office of the Speaker. 

This is the first time he is on the Assembly premises since his removal on the 13th of last month while he was away in the United States during the recess of the House. 

Addressing newsmen, Mr Obasa stated that he has resumed his position as the parliament’s leader.

“I’ve resumed, and I remain the Speaker of the Assembly,” Obasa told reporters on the premises of the House.

Asked whether he has been reinstated as speaker, Obasa said, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional but in doing that, you must follow the due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”

The assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Obasa’s removal as speaker and the subsequent election of Meranda.

Obasa was accused by over 90 per cent of the lawmakers of poor leadership style, perpetual lateness to legislative functions and plenary, high-handedness and disregard for colleague lawmakers and the executive, especially the governor, abuse of office and privileges, intimidation and oppression of members among others.

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