KEY POINTS

• Mudashiru Obasa, impeached Lagos Assembly Speaker, controversially replaced the Assembly’s legal team without consulting the 35 lawmakers who voted for his removal, deepening the political crisis.
• The Ikeja High Court adjourned proceedings to March 17, where the legality of Obasa’s impeachment and his subsequent controversial reinstatement will be determined.
• Senior Advocate Femi Falana condemned Obasa’s action as illegal, while political leaders, including President Tinubu, have intervened to mediate the escalating conflict.

The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly took a dramatic turn on Monday, March 10, 2025, as embattled Speaker Mudashiru Obasa unilaterally replaced the legal team representing the Assembly in his ongoing impeachment lawsuit.

According to SaharaReporters, this sudden move has intensified tensions among the 35 lawmakers who previously voted for his impeachment, deepening the already fraught political standoff.

The controversy unfolded at the Ikeja High Court, where Obasa’s case challenging his removal from office was scheduled for hearing. Presiding Judge Yetunde Pinheiro, however, adjourned proceedings to March 17, following the submission of new legal applications by the involved parties.

Obasa, who was impeached on January 13 over allegations of fraud, abuse of office, and gross misconduct, is now seeking to overturn the decision and reclaim his position. However, his recent decision to dismiss the Assembly’s legal representatives without consulting the majority of lawmakers has drawn sharp criticism and raised further legal concerns.

Legal dispute intensifies over speaker’s controversial move

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), who is representing the 35 lawmakers backing the impeachment, condemned Obasa’s action.

“A plaintiff cannot impose a lawyer on the defendants,” Falana stated firmly. “The 35 lawmakers have chosen our team to represent them, and we are acting on their instructions.”

Falana’s rejection of Obasa’s legal maneuvering highlights the deepening division within the Assembly. The speaker’s decision to replace the legal team was seen by many as a strategy to influence the court proceedings in his favor.

Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, Obasa’s lead counsel, Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), defended the move, explaining that the legal team filed fresh applications in response to new claims raised during last Friday’s court session.

“We are addressing issues that emerged in the last hearing, and the filings were necessary to clarify our client’s position,” Fasanu told journalists.

One of the contentious aspects of the case is whether Obasa was physically present in the country when his impeachment took place. This dispute over his whereabouts could become a pivotal point in determining the legality of his removal.

The political fallout from Obasa’s impeachment has already seen significant interventions. On March 3, Obasa controversially reclaimed the Speaker’s seat after his successor, Mojisola Meranda, stepped down—an event that further fueled the ongoing dispute.

In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu and top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deployed a high-powered delegation to mediate between the warring factions. The intervention of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and other political heavyweights also aimed to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Despite these efforts, tensions remain high. The court’s upcoming decision is expected to not only determine the legality of Obasa’s impeachment but also the legitimacy of his controversial reinstatement.

Political analysts have noted that the case has broader implications for governance and internal party democracy in Lagos State. A ruling in favor of Obasa could set a significant precedent for how legislative leadership disputes are handled in the future.

As the March 17 hearing approaches, all eyes remain on the court, with many awaiting a ruling that could reshape the political landscape in Lagos.