The Lagos State High Court has rejected an application by reinstated Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to change the legal representation of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro ruled that Femi Falana (SAN) will remain the approved counsel for the Assembly, despite arguments from multiple parties involved in the case.
Obasa’s counsel, Olusola Idowu (SAN) had argued for a new counsel, citing the Assembly’s right to change its legal team.
However, Falana countered that he had not been debriefed by the Assembly and denied the existence of any reinstatement order for suspended clerk Olalekan Onafeko.
Abimbola Akeredolu, (SAN) representing Obasa on other matters, argues that the application was tied to unresolved substantive issues in the case, while Olu Daramola (SAN) representing 33 of the 40 lawmakers (the 3rd to 35th defendants), claimed the majority of lawmakers suspended Onafeko and retained Falana, accusing the opposing side of misintepreting the Industrial Court’s order.
The court also addressed another application by Falana, who argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to interfere in matters of the Assembly.
Falana noted that the speaker is elected by members of the house and can only be removed by the members.
Justice Pinheiro adjourned the case, informing the court that a date will be communicated to the parties involved.
The ruling is the latest development in the contentious case, which has seen multiple applications and counter-arguments .
