By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has nullified the removal of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, declaring the action unconstitutional.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the court set aside the decision taken by a majority of the lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, who had emerged as the new speaker during the controversial sitting on January 13, 2025.
Justice Pinheiro ruled that the process that led to Obasa’s removal failed to comply with constitutional provisions and due legislative procedures, rendering the decision invalid.
The court also voided all resolutions and decisions made during the disputed January 13 session and awarded N500,000 in damages to Obasa for the unlawful removal.
The significance of the judgement remains in question as Obasa has since been reinstated while Meranda returned to her position as the deputy speaker.
It however seem the judgement might mean Mojisola Meranda will never be recognised as a former speaker.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Lagos Assembly leadership or the lawmakers involved in the attempted removal.
