The counsel for the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has confirmed that his client will not be withdrawing the lawsuit against former
Speaker Mojisola Meranda and other Assembly members, despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the leadership crisis.
Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN),
speaking exclusively with the media personel, dismissed speculations about a potential withdrawal of the case, stating firmly that his legal team is awaiting the court’s judgment on the matter.
“We have concluded arguments; that discussion does not arise again. He’s not withdrawing, we have concluded,” Fashanu stated during a telephone interview on Sunday.
The case, being heard at the Lagos State High Court under Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, challenges the legality of the January 13, 2025 proceedings that led to Obasa’s initial removal as Speaker. On March 17, Justice Pinheiro reserved judgment after hearing several preliminary objections from counsel representing the defendants.
“We are just waiting for the judgment. We don’t know when yet, the court said they will communicate it to us,” Fashanu added.
This development comes despite earlier statements from political quarters suggesting the case would be withdrawn. A former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State and member of the Governance Advisory Council, Otunba Henry Ajomale, had expressed belief that Obasa would withdraw the suit following President Tinubu’s intervention.
“Now that he (Obasa) has been returned, I believe that the case will be withdrawn from court. In no time. Perhaps at the next sitting, you will see the difference,” Ajomale was quoted as saying at an award ceremony for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday.
The leadership crisis began when Obasa was removed on January 13, followed by Meranda’s election as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly. After a 49-day reign by Meranda, Obasa was reelected as Speaker on March 3 following her resignation, after which he adjourned the plenary indefinitely.
The national leadership of the APC later intervened to resolve the crisis, and all 40 lawmakers subsequently met with President Tinubu in Abuja on March 12, where further efforts were made to settle grievances between Obasa and Meranda.
Sources close to the presidency had indicated that part of the settlement agreement included Obasa withdrawing the lawsuit against his colleagues, a condition that now appears to have been rejected.
The House has not reconvened since March 3, effectively pausing the functions of the legislative arm of the state. According to the Clerk of the House, Ottun Babatunde, the Assembly will likely resume after the Sallah break.
“We adjourned sine die (indefinitely), but (we will) likely (resume) after Sallah by God’s grace,” Babatunde told our correspondent, adding that committee activities are still ongoing despite the recess.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that Speaker Obasa is currently not in the state, having traveled to Mecca for the holy pilgrimage.
