IN a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa over alleged gross misconduct.
His removal while he was in the United States followed allegations of misappropriation of funds, high-handedness and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly’s affairs.
The impeachment sparked jubilation among lawmakers.
Obasa, in his third term as Speaker since 2015, represents Agege Constituency I.
Femi Saheed, who represents Kosofe Constituency II, moved the motion for the impeachment.
Citing Section 92(2) (C) of the 1999 Constitution, Saheed accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership.
He accused the Speaker of perpetual lateness, high-handedness, and intimidation of members.
The impeachment motion was seconded by Aro Moshood Abiodun (Ikorodu II).
Thirty-two of the 40-member House affirmed the impeachment through a voice vote.
Following Obasa’s impeachment, his deputy, Mrs. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was elected the new Speaker.
She made history as the first female to occupy the office.
Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki I) was elected the Deputy Speaker.
Amid the charged atmosphere, the House suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, and replaced him with Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun in acting capacity.
The impeachment, which happened in the early hours, saw the Assembly premises cordoned off by police.
A heavy presence of security operatives was visible both within and outside the premises.
A group of protesters from Obasa’s constituency stormed the Assembly, but were rounded up and detained inside a Black Maria from where they sang “On your mandate, we shall stand” while begging for water.
The Speaker’s photographs at different locations inside the Assembly were removed.
Assembly workers were seen beaming with smiles as the events unfolded.
Obasa was accused of financial irregularities, which included a N44billion allocated for vehicles.
There was also the allegation of N15.6billion allocated for office construction, amid claims that existing facilities were functional.
Sometime in October 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated Obasa for owning over 60 bank accounts.
He was also accused of awarding contracts to himself, using different fronts and spending N80 million as allowance during the training of wives of 20 lawmakers in Dubai.
His removal came barely a month after he was accused by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, of spending N17 billion to construct a gate that leads to the Assembly complex and N200 million on a thanksgiving service.
In 2023, the Assembly faced a backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner-nominees.
Obasa had denied any rift with the governor, with the GAC – the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos – intervening.
Obasa also got into trouble over the contentious 2024 Lagos State Local Council Administration law.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.