By Ebunoluwa Sessou

LAGOS — A Lagos State High Court has reserved judgment in the suit by the reinstated speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging the legality of the January 13, 2025, proceeding that led to his initial removal.

Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, who heard several preliminary objections by counsel representing the defendants, said the date for judgment and rulings would be communicated to parties in due course.

Recall that, President Bola Tinubu met the lawmakers, including Obasa at the State House last week and directed that he should work peacefully with his colleagues.

At the resumed hearing of the case, yesterday, members of the Assembly were surprised to learn that the reinstated Speaker was still pursuing legal action against the institution he presides over.

Prof. Joshua Olatoke, SAN, counsel to the claimant, Mr Obasa, urged the court to assume jurisdiction to hear the matter.

He argued that the Assembly was in recess at the time the lawmakers convened illegally on January 13, without duly informing either the Speaker or the Majority Leader, who have the powers to reconvene any session during recess.

But, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, whose legal authority to represent the House of Assembly was earlier affirmed by the court, opposed the suit brought by way of originating summons.

He said the later proceedings of March 3, which saw the reelection of Mr Obasa as speaker had overtaken the earlier proceedings.

One of the counsels, representing the 3rd to the 35th defendants, Olu Daramola, SAN, said the removal of the speaker was an internal affair of the House, which the court cannot interfere in.

He added that the proceedings of January 13, were valid, having been held in the Assembly and that the decision taken to remove the speaker was taken by more than the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority of the members.




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/speakership-tussle-court-reserves-judgment-on-obasas-suit/