Legal counsel for the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), has once again refuted speculation that his client, Mudashiru Obasa, intends to withdraw his lawsuit against former Speaker Mojisola Meranda and other Assembly members.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Sunday, Fashanu confirmed that the case remains in court, and his team is awaiting judgment. This stance contradicts reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the leadership crisis included an agreement for Obasa to withdraw his legal challenge.
On March 17, 2025, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court reserved judgment on the case, in which Obasa is contesting the legitimacy of the January 13, 2025, proceedings that led to his removal. After hearing multiple preliminary objections from the defence, the judge stated that a ruling would be communicated to all parties in due course.
“We are just waiting for the judgment. We don’t know when yet; the court said they will inform us,” Fashanu stated.
Asked if Obasa was considering withdrawing the suit, the lawyer dismissed the possibility. “We have concluded arguments. That does not arise again. He’s not withdrawing,” he asserted.
Despite this, former Lagos APC chairman and Governance Advisory Council member, Otunba Henry Ajomale, expressed confidence that Obasa would withdraw the case, given Tinubu’s intervention. Speaking at an event in Lagos on Saturday, Ajomale stated, “Very soon, at the next sitting, you will see the difference.”
Since Obasa’s reinstatement, the Assembly has not convened, with the legislative arm effectively on hold. Clerk of the House, Ottun Babatunde, recently indicated that proceedings are expected to resume after the Sallah break. “We adjourned sine die, but likely (resume) after Sallah by God’s grace,” he said.
Babatunde added that committee activities have continued despite the recess, clarifying that only plenary sessions had been suspended. Meanwhile, sources close to Obasa revealed that he is currently in Mecca performing the holy pilgrimage.
