News
Obasa Drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda To Court Over Removal
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.
News
President Tinubu Expresses Sorrow over IMAM Abubakar’s Death
Says he was a courageous servant of God
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92.
The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State.
President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection.
His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.
“His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.”
I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar.
“May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage,” the President said.
News
IMAM who Savef 262 Christians Abubakar Abdullahi Dies in Jos @ 90
The Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state, who Famously Shielded 262 Christians during a Violent Communal attack has died at the age of 90.
Saleh Abubakar son of the deceased Confirmed the death to arise news in Jos said the Cleric Passed away on Thursday night at plateau specialist hospital in Jos.
He revealed that his father died tens earlier after being admitted into the hospital, following Complications linked to a heart Condition that have affected his heart for Some time.
He was initiately admitted diagnosed with a heart problem and had being on check ups all the time and since then his health had not been Stable following the diagnoses.
Imam Abdullahi is Survived by 19 Children made up of 12 boys and 7 girls.In June 2018, during a faith based Clashes that Swept through 10 Villages in Barkin Ladi Local government area of plateau state, the late imam hid 262
Christians in a mosque and his private home untill the Violence Subsided, preventing them from being killed.
His actions earned him both local and international recognition across globe.End
Ctedit: PUNCH
News
Rivers Lawmakers Insist on Investigating Fubara, Deputy
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
Twenty -five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) said that there is no going back on investigating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, for alleged gross misconducts.
The members re-stated this at Friday’s plenary in the temporary hallowed chamber of the State House of Assembly in their Legislative quarters.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
He also said that the Chief judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi is to be immediately notified about the resolution of the House.
The order paper of the house in Friday’s sitting has only two items which include investigating governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Meanwhile,the house has adjourned plenary till January 27.
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