The Lagos State House of Assembly has announced that it will determine the next steps regarding allegations of financial misconduct against its former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, upon his return to the Assembly.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, the House spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, stated that the lawmakers are prepared to address the allegations directly when Obasa is present.
Ogundipe said, “On the other allegations against him, when he is on the ground physically, those ones will be taken care of. There are other things we’ve also been hearing about different amounts of money being spent by him. We felt we didn’t know how they got the record of those, but the ones we have, when he’s seated with us, actions will be taken.”
When asked if the Assembly would submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an investigation, Ogundipe explained that such decisions would be made after Obasa’s return. “Probably a committee will be set up to look into it, or it will also be looked at by the leadership of the House,” he added.
The former Speaker, who was removed from office by a majority of the lawmakers on January 13, 2025, has denied the allegations of corruption. Addressing his supporters at the Speaker’s Lodge last Saturday, Obasa dismissed the claims, stating, “If you want to claim that I’m corrupt, please prove it, let us see it.” He also argued that his removal was unprocedural, asserting that he remains the legitimate Speaker.
However, Ogundipe refuted these claims, maintaining that the process of Obasa’s removal was constitutional. “The process was duly followed, and the members know what we saw. We intended to change guard, and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.
The Assembly complex saw heightened security on Monday, with personnel, including police officers, screening journalists and individuals attempting to gain access. Journalists were lined up at the second gate and required to present identity cards, while those unable to identify themselves were denied entry.
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The increased security measures followed Obasa’s recent public comments, in which he challenged the legitimacy of his removal and insisted he remains Speaker unless the lawmakers follow “the right process.”
Despite expectations, Obasa did not appear at the Assembly on Monday. Ogundipe reiterated the Assembly’s readiness to welcome him back, saying, “We are also expecting him to be here with us so that they can see it is not about the noise outside, it is a very calm place.”
Meanwhile, the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, officially assumed office on Monday. Meranda, who previously served as the Deputy Speaker, was flanked by lawmakers who supported her during the transition.
Ogundipe explained that the plenary session initially scheduled for Monday was postponed to allow lawmakers to settle into the new leadership and demonstrate that the House remains peaceful. “We rescheduled the plenary to allow for proper organization and to show that the House is functioning smoothly,” he said.