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Obasa Drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda To Court Over Removal

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The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a suit against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging the legality of his sack.

Obasa, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, is urging the court to declare that his colleagues in the House acted unlawfully by removing him while the Assembly was on recess.

In the application dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), the plaintiff claimed that he was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.

The embattled lawmaker is seeking the following reliefs: an order of the court fixing a date for the accelerated hearing of the case and to shorten the time allowed for the defendants to respond with counter-affidavits or written addresses to seven days post-hearing.

He also asked the court to order that the time for the plaintiff to file their replies on points of law be limited to three days.Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, focusing on the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The plaintiff challenges the constitutionality of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during recess without the Speaker convening the House or delegating authority to someone else to do so.

Public interest necessitates that this case be heard and resolved quickly to avoid disruption of legislative activities in the state.”

Obasa maintained that the court must urgently determine the legality behind the Assembly’s current leadership because it violates the applicable laws and rules.

He further asserts that the court holds inherent powers to grant expedited hearings and time limitations.No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.

Obasa was impeached on January 13 while he was away from the country by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.

Obasa returned to a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on January 25, maintaining that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.

The former speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.

He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.

Obasa also dismissed allegations of misappropriation.

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NSEMA Recovers 153 Dead Body in Mokwa Flood

The director- general of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this yesterday while giving the daily update on the Disaster.

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The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has announced the discoveries of more dead bodies under a bridge bringing the death toll to 153 in the Mokwa Flood.

The director- general of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this yesterday while giving the daily update on the Disaster.

He said, “Two more dead bodies were recovered late yesterday (Saturday) under the bridge.

They were buried this morning (yesterday).”The director general said that with the latest development, the death toll has now been put at 153, and the affected population is now 3,018.

He said at Ndayako village, no death was recorded, but that 98 people were displaced and 58 houses were also washed away.

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US Says Withdrawal from Sahel Region Fueling Nigeria’s Terror Attacks

These attacks, coming after a considerable period of lull in terrorist activities, have targeted both civilians and security forces, leading to huge casualties and displacement

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The Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), US Marine Corps, Gen. Michael Langley, has said that the absence of his country’s intelligence and counterterrorism support, which had previously helped monitor and disrupt extremist networks across the Sahel, might have created security gaps that terrorist groups were now exploiting.

Langley disclosed this, weekend, during a digital press briefing after the “African Chiefs of Defence Conference” in Kenya.

Langley stated, “I’ll just say that since we left Niger in September of last year, we’re observing a rise in attacks by violent extremist organisations, not only in Niger but across the Sahel to include Nigeria as well as going into Burkina Faso and Mali.

“Now, this increase is measurable by both frequency and complexity of these attacks driven by persistent and socio-economic grievances and the proliferation of weapons and increased capable terrorist groups across the board.

“So, unfortunately, with our withdrawal from the region, we have lost our ability to monitor these terrorist groups closely but we continue to liaison with partners to provide what support we can.”

In Borno State, North-east Nigeria, Boko Haram and its faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified their assaults.

In central Nigeria’s Benue and Plateau states, violence attributed to armed herders has also surged.

These attacks, coming after a considerable period of lull in terrorist activities, have targeted both civilians and security forces, leading to huge casualties and displacement.

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CASER Launches Prince Nduka Obaigbena National Secondary School Essay Competition

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The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) is proud to announce the launch of the National Secondary School Essay Competition in honour of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the ThisDay/ARISE Group.

This is disclosed in a statement issued by Otunba Gbenga Onayiga , Chairman, Board of Trustees, CASER, and Frank Tietie, Esq Executive Director, CASER.

The maiden edition of the competition will be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena.

It reads:

” This initiative celebrates his enduring contributions to the advancement of excellence in journalism and broadcasting across the African continent.

The annual competition aims to inspire secondary school students across Nigeria to develop strong writing skills, critical thinking, rigorous research, and a deep commitment to truth, the core principles of responsible journalism.

In an age increasingly challenged by misinformation, online abuse, and the erosion of ethical communication, this competition aims to guide young minds back to the values of integrity, clarity, and accuracy in expression.

Essay Review and Judging Panel

Submissions will be judged exclusively by *Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a foremost Professor of Communication and Registrar of Baze University, Abuja.

*Professor Sunny Awhefada , a distinguished scholar from the Department of English and Literary Studies at Delta State University, Abraka, developed the evaluation criteria.

Prizes and Date of Award

The top three winning essays will receive the following cash prizes:•

1st Prize: ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira)•

2nd Prize: ₦300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira)•

3rd Prize: ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)Winners will be announced and awarded on 14 July 2025, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

Inaugural Edition: Government College Ughelli.

The maiden edition of the competition will be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena.

To ensure a smooth rollout, a Local Organising Committee (LOC) comprising members of the GCU Old Boys has been constituted as follows:

1. Mike Akoreh – Chairman

2. Efe Onomake – Alternate Chairman

3. Charles (Charlie) Umuakpero – Secretary

4. Oghenevwoke Edjere – Member

5. Sunny Ahanmisi – Member

6.Anthony Mukoro -Member.

The committee will commence its duties immediately to coordinate all activities and ensure the successful implementation of the competition.”

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