Ikeja, Lagos — Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has adjourned the hearing of a lawsuit filed by reinstated Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to March 17.
The adjournment follows new submissions from legal representatives of the involved parties. Obasa is challenging the allegations that led to his initial removal from office, which include fraud, high-handedness, abuse of office, and gross misconduct. The respondents in the suit are members of the House of Assembly and former Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
During the resumed proceedings, lead counsel for the House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that the claimant’s legal team, led by Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), had served them with additional affidavits earlier that morning.
“The claimant’s counsel served us further affidavits today, and my clients need time to respond,” Falana stated.
Similarly, Meranda’s legal representative, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), emphasized the gravity of the new allegations, requesting an adjournment to properly respond.
Adding another layer to the case, Olusola Idowu (SAN) announced his appearance as an incoming counsel for the House of Assembly. Falana subsequently urged the court to first consider the application for a change of counsel before addressing other matters, citing a Court of Appeal decision that mandates trial courts to prioritize such applications.
However, Justice Pinheiro ruled that all pending applications, including those seeking injunctions and those challenging jurisdiction, would be heard simultaneously on March 17.
“The court will take all applications together, including the application for change of counsel,” she ruled.
The case is set for its next hearing on March 17, with all parties directed to file, serve, and exchange their legal processes before the scheduled date.
Comments