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Honourable, Mojisola Meranda has been elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
Born into a prominent Lagos family, Hon. Meranda’s father, the late Chief Taoreed Akanni Lawal Akapo, served as a legislator at the local level before becoming the Ojora of Lagos.
Her mother hails from the notable Oniru family making her related to the Oba Oniru of Lagos, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II.
Her political journey began in 2003 as a personal assistant in the Office of the Surveyor General. She later served as Senior Special Assistant on Intervention and Intergovernmental Affairs and as Supervisory Councillor for Health in Apapa Local Government.
In 2015, she was elected to represent Apapa Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and has been re-elected in subsequent terms. She has held significant positions, including Chief Whip and Deputy Speaker, before her recent elevation to Speaker.
Her emergence followed the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, who was removed over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Obasa’s impeachment came amidst mounting accusations of financial impropriety during his tenure as Speaker.
In December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been petitioned to investigate Obasa for alleged financial misconduct, breach of public trust, and abuse of office. The petition, filed by the Progressive Youth Movement of Ikeja, accused Obasa of using proxy companies to embezzle funds from the Lagos House of Assembly and violating due process in procurement regulations. Dated December 17, the petition also alleged that the Finance Management Committee had not convened since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, allowing Obasa to make unauthorized financial decisions.
Additionally, the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition filed a petition with the EFCC, alleging mismanagement of N17 billion earmarked for constructing a gate at the Lagos State House of Assembly. According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, Obasa was also accused of awarding a N469 million contract to Orgnitek Consult Limited for constructing the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, a company alleged to be a front for his activities.
The group further alleged that Obasa approved N200 million for a thanksgiving event at the Lagos State House of Assembly, claiming that such an event should not have cost more than N2 million.
