Mudashiru Obasa, the ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has challenged his impeachment in court, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated. Lawmakers removed him on January 13, 2025, while he was out of the country.
His removal has sparked controversy, with supporters and opponents preparing for a prolonged battle. Now, Obasa seeks an accelerated hearing at the Lagos State High Court in a determined effort to reclaim his position.
Meanwhile, his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afolabi Fashanu, has filed a motion to overturn the decision. According to Fashanu, lawmakers ignored legislative procedures and lacked transparency throughout the process.
“The Constitution outlines a clear procedure for removing a Speaker, but unfortunately, they did not follow it. An impeachment must be lawful, transparent, and free from irregularities,” he argued.
Upon his return to Nigeria, Mudashiru Obasa addressed his supporters, insisting that he remains the legitimate Speaker. He alleged that lawmakers who orchestrated his removal used a fake mace during the session, which, according to him, renders the impeachment invalid.
“They knew I was out of the country, yet they staged an illegal process. Worse still, they used a fake mace and deployed over 200 security forces to intimidate my people and invade my home. However, let me be clear I remain the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he declared.
On the other hand, the Assembly strongly oppose his claim. Lawmakers argue they followed constitutional procedures. Specifically, Section 92(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution allows impeachment if at least two-thirds of the House votes for it. Since they met this requirement, they insist the decision stands and cannot be reversed.
Nevertheless, legal experts remain divided on the issue. While some believe lawmakers followed due process, others argue that the impeachment’s speed and manner raise serious concerns. Legal analyst Liborous Oshoma explained;
“The Constitution does not require lawmakers to state a reason, but they must follow due process. Therefore, if Obasa believes he was wronged, he has every right to challenge it in court.”
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the Assembly refuses to back down. A senior legislator, speaking anonymously, dismissed Obasa’s claims outright.
“The impeachment is legal, binding, and final, Instead of creating unnecessary instability, Obasa should respect the decision of the House and avoid actions that could destabilize the Assembly” he stated. “
Obasa’s impeachment follows years of controversy, including allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of power, which he has consistently denied. In 2020, concerns were raised about his legal qualifications, with reports suggesting his name was not found on the Supreme Court’s roll of legal practitioners.
Ultimately, the legal battle now shifts to the Lagos High Court, where Obasa hopes to reclaim his position. If the court rules in his favor, it could trigger a political crisis within the Assembly. However, if the ruling upholds his removal, it may mark the end of his tenure as one of Lagos’ most influential politicians.
So far, the court has not set a hearing date. However, as tensions continue to rise, all eyes remain on the judiciary.