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Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

Mojisola Meranda and Mudashiru Obasa

Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly

An indication that peace has not returned to the Lagos State House of Assembly emerged at the close of work last week when workers in the legislative house were told by the authority to stay away from the office this week and work from home until further notice.

There are reports about fresh moves to return Mr Mudashiru Obasa to his former position, Speaker of the Assembly.

The House has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis following the removal of Obasa by 32 lawmakers on January 13, 2025, and Mrs Mojisola Meranda was elected as the substantive speaker.

A report by the Vanguard on Monday quoted Presidency sources as saying overtures had been made to the lawmakers to soft-pedal and support the embattled former Speaker.

It reported that members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) were also asked to rein in the anti-Obasa lawmakers.

This followed the disbandment of the Bisi Akande committee over its findings on the matter.

The committee was disbanded owing to the report it submitted after its visit that the odds were against Obasa.

The President had set up a high-powered committee of the party led by Bisi Akande and members including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Pius Akinyelure and others to resolve the crisis.

It further gathered that after the disbandment of the Akande committee, members of GAC were asked to rein in their loyalists in the Assembly and executive to back Obasa.

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The source said: “The Bisi Akande committee has been disbanded. The president has reached out to members of GAC who have loyalists or children in the Assembly to insist they work for Obasa’s return as Speaker.

“For those who do not have children in the Assembly but have other political loyalists in the State Executive Council, they have been mandated to ensure Obasa is returned.

“Obasa, on the other hand, has also been reaching out to lawmaker opposed to him in an attempt to gain their support.”

It was also learnt that the Presidency and party leaders were looking at the option of allowing the court to resolve the crisis.

Sources in the presidency said: “The President is insisting Obasa must return but the Assembly members are also throwing their weight behind Meranda. The two camps do not want to shift grounds. As it is, the court will decide who the Speaker is and you know how judicial process works, it will move from the High Court to Appeal Court and from there, to the Supreme Court; the court will decide.”

The embattled former Speaker had dragged Meranda, the Assembly and 36 lawmakers to court challenging his ‘unlawful’ removal.

Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, last Friday, adjourned the hearing of all pending applications in the lawsuit filed by Obasa, to March 7.

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In a memo, titled ‘Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement’, addressed to staff and legislative aides, the Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Babatunde Abubakar, said the move was to “guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.”

Abubakar said: “I write to convey the approval of the leadership of the House to effect the following changes in the work-from-home arrangement pending the resolution of the current leadership crisis to guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.

“To this end, all categories of staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM and Legislative Aides are requested to work remotely from home until further notice.

“Please note that this arrangement is in tandem with the Head of Service, HOS circular 005 issued on January 15, 2025, affirming the leadership change in the House and the appointment of Mr A.T.B. Ottun as Acting Clerk.
“Note that this measure has become necessary for safety purposes and officers are enjoined to leave open communication lines as they can be called upon for any assignment whenever the need arises.

“Be assured that Princess Mojisola Meranda is committed to your safety and peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
The staff of the Lagos State Assembly had engaged men of the Department of State Services, DSS, when the latter stormed the Assembly complex, sealing offices and preventing lawmakers from holding the plenary session.

Obasa in fresh plot to return as speaker of Lagos Assembly

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13 Women, 12 Men Arrested as Kebbi Hisbah Cracks Down on Immoral Activities in Hotel

Published

16 minutes ago

July 4, 2026

Trends Admin

13 Women, 12 Men Arrested as Kebbi Hisbah Cracks Down on Immoral Activities in Hotel

Operation part of ongoing push to enforce Shariah moral codes and curb social vices in northwestern Nigeria

BIRNIN KEBBI, Nigeria – Operatives of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board have arrested 25 youths — comprising 13 women and 12 men — during a targeted raid on a hotel in Argungu, as part of an intensified campaign against alleged immoral activities and social vices in the state.

The raid, which took place on July 3, 2026, was carried out under the authority of the state’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. It forms part of a broader enforcement drive to promote moral values, ensure public decency, and curb conduct deemed contrary to Shariah principles in the northwestern state.

In a statement released to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, the Director of Shariah at the Kebbi Hisbah Board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed the operation and its outcomes.

“On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities,” Kamba said.

“Those arrested include 12 males and 13 females.”

Kamba emphasized that the operation was not only about enforcing religious codes but also about public safety, noting that hotels sometimes serve as hideouts for criminal elements beyond moral infractions.

“The raid in the hotel seeks to ensure the safety of people, as hotels can also serve as a hiding place for criminal elements,” he added.

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The director assured that the board would conduct a comprehensive investigation in line with the law, and that any suspect found culpable would face the appropriate legal process. He pledged that justice would be served after due diligence.

“We will carry out a thorough investigation in line with the law. Anyone found culpable will be subjected to the appropriate legal process,” Kamba stated.

The arrests have reignited public debate over the role and reach of Hisbah agencies in northern Nigeria, where similar operations have been conducted in recent months. In March 2026, the Kano State Hisbah Board carried out comparable raids that led to arrests and fines. In a separate development earlier this month, Kano Hisbah operatives also arrested a man for allegedly attempting to traffic two girls for domestic work abroad.

Kebbi State, like several other states in Nigeria’s northwest, operates a Shariah legal system alongside the secular courts, with the Hisbah board empowered to enforce moral and religious codes. Critics have occasionally raised concerns over due process and individual rights, but board officials insist all actions are taken within the bounds of the law.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the arrested individuals have not been released, and it remains unclear whether they have been granted legal representation or bail. The board has not disclosed the exact charges that will be filed, though sources suggest they may include immorality, public nuisance, and violation of Shariah provisions on social conduct.

The Argungu hotel raid marks one of the largest such operations in Kebbi this year, and observers are watching to see whether it signals a more aggressive phase of moral policing ahead of upcoming local events and festivities.

13 Women, 12 Men Arrested as Kebbi Hisbah Cracks Down on Immoral Activities in Hotel

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Defamation Case: Court Rejects Saraki’s Objection, Orders Arraignment

Published

28 minutes ago

July 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Defamation Case: Court Rejects Saraki’s Objection, Orders Arraignment

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, clearing the way for his arraignment in a criminal defamation case instituted over alleged defamatory statements against Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Justice M. O. Folorunsho delivered the ruling on Friday after considering arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution, holding that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the matter and that the charge before it discloses offences recognized under the laws of Kwara State.

The ruling marks a significant development in the legal dispute, which stems from allegations that Saraki made defamatory statements against Governor AbdulRazaq through posts published on his verified social media platforms.

During the proceedings, Saraki’s lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), represented in court by T. A. Hammed, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, strike out the charge and terminate the criminal proceedings. The defence argued that the High Court lacked the legal authority to entertain the matter and questioned the competence of the charge brought against the former Senate President.

The prosecution team, led by Chief Rafiu Balogun (SAN) and Chief Taye Oniyinde (SAN), opposed the application, insisting that the court was properly constituted to hear the case. According to the prosecution, the charge discloses offences punishable under the Kwara State Penal Code, urging the court to dismiss the preliminary objection and allow the criminal proceedings to continue.

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In his ruling, Justice Folorunsho considered all 17 issues raised by the defence and found no merit in the application. “The preliminary objection lacks merit,” the judge ruled, dismissing every ground advanced by Saraki’s legal team. He further held that the alleged offences are triable before the court, affirming that the High Court possesses the territorial jurisdiction to hear the case. The judge also ruled that the charge sheet and proof of evidence presented by the prosecution disclose a prima facie case sufficient for the proceedings to continue.

During the hearing, the prosecution requested the issuance of a bench warrant against Saraki following his absence in court. However, Justice Folorunsho declined the request, holding that the defendant’s physical presence was not mandatory while the court was determining interlocutory applications. The judge subsequently directed Saraki to appear before the court on July 22, 2026, for his formal arraignment and to enter his plea.

The criminal charge is based on an alleged social media publication made by Saraki on April 17, 2026, in which he reportedly claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq did not possess a Secondary School Certificate—a constitutional qualification required for anyone seeking election as governor. According to the prosecution, the statements were subsequently republished by several national newspapers, giving them wider circulation.

Prosecutors allege that the publication was false, defamatory and capable of damaging the governor’s reputation while also creating tension that could lead to a breach of public peace. The alleged offence is said to be punishable under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.

Following the ruling, Saraki announced plans to challenge the decision. In a statement issued through his media office, the former Senate President disclosed that he had instructed his legal team to immediately file an appeal against the High Court’s decision on jurisdiction. Saraki maintained that jurisdiction is a fundamental issue that should be conclusively determined before any criminal trial proceeds.

He also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s judicial process and urged his supporters to remain calm while the legal process runs its course.

With the preliminary objection dismissed, attention now shifts to July 22, 2026, when Saraki is expected to appear before the Kwara State High Court for his formal arraignment. At the hearing, he is expected to enter his plea, after which the court will determine the timetable for the substantive hearing of the alleged criminal defamation case.

The proceedings are being closely watched because they involve two of Kwara State’s most prominent political figures and could have wider political and legal implications ahead of future electoral contests.

Defamation Case: Court Rejects Saraki’s Objection, Orders Arraignment

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“He Was Dating Our Mother”: Three Brothers Remanded for Killing Mother’s Lover

Published

7 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Trends Admin

“He Was Dating Our Mother”: Three Brothers Remanded for Killing Mother’s Lover

Three brothers from the Hholoshini area in Eswatini have been remanded in custody after appearing before the Mbabane Magistrates Court on charges of murdering a man they allegedly believed was having a romantic relationship with their biological mother. The suspects — Mlondi Mbuli, 25; Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18; and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — will remain behind bars until July 10, 2026, pending the transfer of their case to the High Court, where murder charges are ordinarily tried. The accused appeared before Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati in connection with the death of Njabulo Ngwenya, whose lifeless body was discovered in the early hours of June 28, 2026. According to police reports, the incident occurred in Hholoshini, within the Hhohho Region of the southern African kingdom. The case came to light when the victim’s mother, Sibongile Motsa, reportedly found her son’s body inside her sister’s residence at approximately 1 a.m. on the day of the incident. She immediately alerted the Royal Eswatini Police Service, prompting an investigation that swiftly led to the arrest of the three siblings.

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Investigators allege that the brothers launched a brutal assault on Ngwenya using bricks, stones, sticks, punches, and repeated kicks, inflicting severe injuries across his body that ultimately resulted in his death. Preliminary findings from police indicate that the attack was allegedly motivated by the brothers’ belief that the deceased was involved in a romantic relationship with their mother. The family-related motive has drawn significant public attention across the country. While the three accused have been remanded, they have not yet entered pleas to the murder charge. Authorities have not disclosed additional details beyond what was presented during the initial court proceedings, as investigations remain ongoing.

During their initial appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until their next hearing on July 10, 2026. This remand period allows prosecutors to prepare for the transfer of the case to the High Court, which has jurisdiction over serious criminal offences such as murder under Eswatini’s legal system. The case has sparked public discourse across the kingdom, with many closely following developments. Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland until King Mswati III officially changed the country’s name in 2018, is a landlocked nation bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial framework, magistrates’ courts handle preliminary hearings before serious charges are escalated to the High Court for trial. The case against the three brothers is expected to follow this established legal procedure.