Obasa drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda to court over impeachment – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

Obasa drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda to court over impeachment

Published

on

Mojisola Meranda and Mudashiru Obasa

Obasa drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda to court over impeachment

The impeached speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a judicial appeal challenging his removal as speaker.

The member sued the Assembly and its new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, in Ikeja State High Court, arguing that the lawmakers were improper to dismiss him during the Assembly’s recess.

Obasa, represented by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, filed a motion on February 12, 2025, requesting an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the complaint.

On January 13, 2025, 36 members ousted Obasa from his position as Lagos Assembly speaker while he was out of the country.

He protested his removal upon his return to the country, claiming that he was still the speaker.

READ ALSO:

Among the relief sought by the lawmaker is a court order setting a date for the expeditious hearing of the originating summons and limiting the time within which the defendants may file their response by way of counter-affidavits/written addresses to seven days after the hearing and determination of the application.

Obasa was impeached by members of the Assembly, citing corruption, misappropriation of funds, and other things as their reason.

In the request filed at the court on Friday, Obasa also sought an order of the court abridging the term within which the plaintiff may file its reply of points of law to three days.

Obasa’s application is predicated on nine grounds, among which is the interpretation of sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) vis-à-vis Order V, Rule 18(2), and Order II, Rule 9(1)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) of the Rules and Standing Order of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Part of the motion reads, “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.

“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled.

“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.

“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time.”

At the time of filing this report, a date has not been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Obasa drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda to court over impeachment

metro

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Published

on

Abacha, Tinubu and Abiola

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.

“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”

Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”

READ ALSO:

He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”

Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.

“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”

According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”

Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”

He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”

Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him

Continue Reading

metro

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

Published

on

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

Oladapo Fadugba, a Nigerian-born United States citizen, faces 27 years in jail for his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud operation and making false representations to earn US citizenship.

Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.

According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.

According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.

It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.

READ ALSO:

The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.

“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”

In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.

According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.

“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.

“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.

Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship

Continue Reading

metro

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

Published

on

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

The solemnisation of holy matrimony between a groom, Henry James, and Miss Afiniki Ibrahim was reportedly called off few days to the occasion.

The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.

Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).

It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.

A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.

READ ALSO:

However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.

The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.

In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.

The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.

With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.

Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue

Continue Reading

Trending