Category Nigeria News

The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the re-instated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court also nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted.

READ ALSO: Count Us Out Of Merger, Coalition — PDP Govs

Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also awarded N500,000 as damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of Hon. Obasa and for the psychological embarrassment he suffered as a result of the illegal removal.

Obasa had filed a suit against the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker at the time, Mojisola Meranda, to challenge the legality of his removal.

In the suit, filed on February 12, 2025, by his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that his removal by 36 lawmakers occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.

He urged the court to declare the process unlawful, arguing that the sitting was invalid as it was held without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.

In a judgment which lasted about three hours, Justice Pinheiro first dismissed the preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit. The court held that non-compliance with pre-action notices does not make the suit inactive.

On the objection that the court does not have the jurisdiction to review the proceedings of the State House of Assembly, the judge held that, “ a court of law can intervene where the provisions of the constitution have not been met during any proceedings of the house of assembly”.

Citing the cases of Usman v Kaduna State House of Assembly, Agbaso Vs Imo State, and Rivers State House of Assembly Vs Government of Rivers State, the judge further held that in cases where there is a lacuna in the provisions of the constitution, the court can intervene.

The court noted that in deserving instances it has  also intervened when the house rules have not been properly followed and where fair hearing has not been ensured.

In the present case, the court agreed with the claimant, Hon. Obasa, that the facts of the case are questions that the court can adjudicate upon.

The judge noted that the issues in question has to do with the constitutionality of the procedure of the Lagos House of Assembly on the day the claimant was removed, and especially if due process was  followed.

Relying on the rules of the House of Assembly, the court took view that no person other than the leaders of the House have the capacity to write to the Speaker to convene a Meeting of the assembly, and the chief whip is not a leader.

The court also stated that by the rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there exists a hierarchy under Order 7.

Rule 30 of the Rules which relates to the authority of the chief whip also does not confer on him such authority.

The court held that every step taken towards reconvening the meeting of the house after it had adjourned indefinitely cannot stand and it is inconsequential that majority of members voted for the meeting.

The Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the re-instated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court also nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the House held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted.

READ ALSO: Count Us Out Of Merger, Coalition — PDP Govs

Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro also awarded N500,000 as damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of Hon. Obasa and for the psychological embarrassment he suffered as a result of the illegal removal.

Obasa had filed a suit against the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker at the time, Mojisola Meranda, to challenge the legality of his removal.

In the suit, filed on February 12, 2025, by his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that his removal by 36 lawmakers occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.

He urged the court to declare the process unlawful, arguing that the sitting was invalid as it was held without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.

In a judgment which lasted about three hours, Justice Pinheiro first dismissed the preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit. The court held that non-compliance with pre-action notices does not make the suit inactive.

On the objection that the court does not have the jurisdiction to review the proceedings of the State House of Assembly, the judge held that, “ a court of law can intervene where the provisions of the constitution have not been met during any proceedings of the house of assembly”.

Citing the cases of Usman v Kaduna State House of Assembly, Agbaso Vs Imo State, and Rivers State House of Assembly Vs Government of Rivers State, the judge further held that in cases where there is a lacuna in the provisions of the constitution, the court can intervene.

The court noted that in deserving instances it has  also intervened when the house rules have not been properly followed and where fair hearing has not been ensured.

In the present case, the court agreed with the claimant, Hon. Obasa, that the facts of the case are questions that the court can adjudicate upon.

The judge noted that the issues in question has to do with the constitutionality of the procedure of the Lagos House of Assembly on the day the claimant was removed, and especially if due process was  followed.

Relying on the rules of the House of Assembly, the court took view that no person other than the leaders of the House have the capacity to write to the Speaker to convene a Meeting of the assembly, and the chief whip is not a leader.

The court also stated that by the rules of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there exists a hierarchy under Order 7.

Rule 30 of the Rules which relates to the authority of the chief whip also does not confer on him such authority.

The court held that every step taken towards reconvening the meeting of the house after it had adjourned indefinitely cannot stand and it is inconsequential that majority of members voted for the meeting.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SecDojo, a France-based cybersecurity training and upskilling company, the agreement is to build cybersecurity resilience in Nigeria, and establish a Cybersecurity Academy.

This agreement was finalized on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco.

According to the agency, the focus of the MoU is to strengthen national resilience against cyber threats through targeted capacity building initiatives.

This strategic collaboration is designed to drive a multi-faceted approach to cybersecurity awareness, with emphasis on developing comprehensive skill-building frameworks, promoting cyber hygiene, and expanding access to digital tools and infrastructure nationwide which aligns with the redefined priority areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.

The partnership will also facilitate training programmes, workshops, and certifications aimed at equipping both public and private sector stakeholders with the necessary skills to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats effectively.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SecDojo, a France-based cybersecurity training and upskilling company, the agreement is to build cybersecurity resilience in Nigeria, and establish a Cybersecurity Academy.

This agreement was finalized on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco.

According to the agency, the focus of the MoU is to strengthen national resilience against cyber threats through targeted capacity building initiatives.

This strategic collaboration is designed to drive a multi-faceted approach to cybersecurity awareness, with emphasis on developing comprehensive skill-building frameworks, promoting cyber hygiene, and expanding access to digital tools and infrastructure nationwide which aligns with the redefined priority areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.

The partnership will also facilitate training programmes, workshops, and certifications aimed at equipping both public and private sector stakeholders with the necessary skills to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats effectively.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend his France trip and urgently return to Nigeria to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.

In a post shared via his official X handle on Wednesday, the 63-year-old criticised the President’s absence amid worsening violence and insecurity across the country.

“Mr President, domestic problems beckon,” Obi wrote. “I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entail that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country.”

The former Anambra State governor lamented that over 150 Nigerians have been killed in the past two weeks, citing renewed attacks in Plateau and Zamfara States, while pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta further highlighted the country’s dire state.

“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states,” he said.

“The primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens, and one wonders the type of retreat going on in another country where peace has been secured by their leaders, while blood continues to flow in our country.”

Obi described the nation as being in distress and likened the President to a retreating CEO far from the headquarters of his failing company. He urged the President to take swift and decisive action.

“Amid all these, the CEO of the troubled company called Nigeria, is retreating in a faraway land in France, detached from the company’s headquarters.

“I therefore urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria the nation seeks,” he noted.

Obi had earlier visited victims and families affected by recent attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. He condemned the violence, describing the killings as “senseless” and unacceptable in a nation not officially at war.

READ ALSO: [UPDATED:] Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community, Kill Seven

Tinubu’s Earlier Reaction

In a Monday statement signed by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the recent bloodshed in Plateau State, where over 40 people were killed.

The President urged Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to summon the political will to restore peace and order.

He called for unity among religious and ethnic communities and appealed to leaders to work together to end the cycle of violence.

“Love and unity must transcend ethnic and religious divides,” Tinubu said, as he encouraged collaboration among community, spiritual, and political leaders.

Plateau Governor’s Apology

On Tuesday, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, visited the Zikke community in Bassa Local Government Area, where 51 people were killed in a brutal attack on Monday.

Speaking at the palace of the Paramount Ruler in Miango, the governor apologised to residents for the government’s inability to protect them.

“I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements were put in place, that this would not happen again,” Mutfwang said. “But like all human arrangements, sometimes they fail. I want to admit that on Sunday night into Monday morning, we failed you. Please, forgive me.”

Mutfwang, accompanied by security chiefs and members of the State Executive Council, also visited bereaved families. The victims have since been buried, while the community continues to demand concrete government action.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, visited Plateau State on Tuesday in the aftermath of the killings. He condemned the attacks and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“These heinous killings of innocent citizens cannot go unanswered. We will deploy all available resources to restore peace and hold those responsible accountable,” the IGP said.

READ ALSO: IGP Visits Plateau, Vows To Bring Perpetrators To Book

Mounting Casualties, Deepening Crisis

Shortly after the Plateau Governor lamented the crisis in Plateau, suspected herdsmen launched a fresh attack on Otobi community in the Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State, killing seven people and injuring several others. Numerous homes were also set ablaze.

Channels Television reports that a resident, Edwin Emma, raised the alarm: “We are being attacked by herdsmen in Otobi. My wife and children are fleeing the community as I speak. Please call for help.”

This marks the second attack in April on the Otobi community, which hosts the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Water Dam.

The crisis in both Plateau and Benue states has continued to escalate. In December 2023 alone, coordinated attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs claimed around 200 lives, while over 500 people were injured.

In Benue, more than 79 people were killed in herdsmen-related violence between May and December 2024. In August 2024, suspected bandits killed 30 people in Ayati village, and 20 medical students were kidnapped—later released—while travelling through the state.