In a dramatic turn of events, operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly in the early hours of Monday, sealing off the offices of Speaker Mojisola Meranda, her deputy, and the Clerk of the House.
As of 10 a.m., heavily armed security personnel had taken over the Assembly premises in Alausa, Ikeja, frisking passersby and restricting access. However, Speaker Meranda arrived with her convoy at about 11:15 a.m.
The security clampdown comes amid a legal battle initiated by the embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 40 Assembly members while he was in the United States. Obasa has described his impeachment as a “coup,” a position reportedly echoed by President Bola Tinubu.
Challenging the legality of his removal, Obasa has filed a lawsuit at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court, seeking an accelerated hearing. In the suit filed by his legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Obasa argues that the Assembly’s decision violated constitutional provisions and House rules.
“The action borders on the constitutionality or otherwise of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly on January 13, 2025, where the Plaintiff herein, as Honourable Speaker, was said to be impeached,” the suit states.
He contends that the Assembly had no authority to reconvene during recess without his directive or delegation of such power. “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House,” Obasa’s legal filing reads.
Obasa is requesting the court to expedite proceedings, arguing that the dispute affects the legislative stability of Lagos State. “Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled,” the suit adds.
Additionally, Obasa has asked the court to “abridge the time within which the Defendants may file their response” and to grant “accelerated hearing” of the case to prevent further legislative disruptions.
The impeachment has sparked political tension within Lagos, with divisions emerging within the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the state’s highest decision-making body in the All Progressives Congress (APC).