Lagos Assembly Removes Speaker Obasa Over Alleged Financial Misconduct
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, citing allegations of gross misconduct and financial mismanagement.
The impeachment, supported by 32 lawmakers, followed accusations of excessive spending, including N17 billion on a gate for the assembly complex and mishandling constituency funds.
Obasa’s deputy, Mojisola Meranda, has been elected as the new speaker, marking her as the first female to hold the position
The new Speaker. Mrs. Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, previously served as the House’s Chief Whip.
The impeachment came in the wake of a report by The Gazette, which detailed how Obasa allegedly oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for backup vehicles for lawmakers, among other contentious expenditures.
Obasa, 52, was first elected Speaker on June 8, 2015, under the administration of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
His tenure has been marred by persistent allegations of fraud and abuse of political power. In 2020, Peoples Gazette published investigations revealing how Obasa allegedly diverted Lagos State funds into his personal businesses and accounts. Around the same period, Sahara Reporters exposed several properties linked to him across Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) summoned Obasa for questioning in response to mounting media coverage of his alleged corruption. Despite his denial of the accusations, no formal charges were brought against him subsequent to his meeting with investigators.
