The Lagos State House of Assembly remains mired in controversy over the procurement of vehicles worth N5 billion for its lawmakers, further straining the already tense relationship between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and former Speaker Mojisola Meranda.
Investigations by The Reporters reveal that during Obasa’s removal from office, Meranda allegedly oversaw the purchase of 39 vehicles for lawmakers, a move that has since sparked legal disputes.
Obasa had reportedly approved N7 billion for the same purpose in December 2024, intending to procure the vehicles from Dubai. However, before the execution of the purchase, he was ousted on January 13, 2025, by 35 out of the 40 lawmakers, citing allegations of financial misappropriation and high-handedness.
Following Obasa’s removal, Meranda was elected Speaker and led the House for 49 days before stepping down on March 3, 2025, after interventions from leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obasa was subsequently reinstated, with Meranda returning to her previous role as Deputy Speaker.
Despite this political resolution, tensions persist, with Obasa challenging his removal in the Lagos State High Court. The dispute has also extended to the procurement of the vehicles, with Obasa questioning the legitimacy of Meranda’s decision to proceed with the purchase in his absence.
Sources within the Assembly disclosed that while Obasa had initially approved the expenditure, he intended to source the vehicles from Dubai through his preferred bidder. Meranda, however, opted for an open bidding process, purchasing 32 units of the 2025 Toyota Prado SUV and seven units of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser locally at a reduced cost of N5 billion—reportedly saving the Assembly N2 billion.
A source close to Meranda emphasized that she did not authorize any withdrawals from the Assembly’s account but merely reviewed and adjusted an existing approval. Unlike Obasa’s initial plan, her procurement process led to a cost-effective acquisition without any allocation for the Speaker’s office.
Meanwhile, Obasa’s legal team, led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), has defended the ongoing court case, arguing that the allegations leading to Obasa’s removal—including accusations of fraud and abuse of power—must be addressed.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, for further hearing.
As the legal battle unfolds, the crisis within the Lagos Assembly underscores deeper political undercurrents that may shape the leadership dynamics in the coming months.
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