A Lagos High Court has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly unconstitutional. The court ruled that the decision was made unlawfully during a recess, reinstating Obasa and nullifying the resolutions passed in his absence.
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. Justice Yetunde Pinheiro delivered the judgment on Wednesday, nullifying the House’s proceedings and resolutions from January, which led to Obasa’s ouster.
Obasa had challenged his removal in court, arguing that the decision was made by 36 lawmakers during a period when the Assembly was on recess and he was abroad. He argued that the session was convened without his authority or a formal delegation of power, violating the House’s procedures. Obasa's suit, which referenced provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Assembly, led to the court’s decision in his favor. This ruling reinstates Obasa and invalidates the actions taken by the House in his absence.
This judgment has stirred controversy, as it highlights concerns over the proper processes of leadership changes within the Assembly and questions the validity of decisions made without full legislative procedures. The case is also expected to set a precedent for similar issues in the future.
Further developments regarding the implications of this ruling are expected.
