Impeached Lagos Speaker, Obasa, Denies Corruption Allegations, Alleges Police Involvement

 

The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations leading to his removal as “fictitious and unsubstantiated.”

Speaking on Saturday during a welcome rally at his residence in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Ikeja, Obasa maintained that his impeachment process was fraught with irregularities.

Obasa alleged that his removal was orchestrated during his absence from the country, accusing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police of playing a key role in facilitating the process.

According to him, security operatives led by the police commissioner invaded the assembly complex and his residences in Agege and Ikeja, detaining his family members with over 200 officers deployed.

Addressing the allegations of misappropriation, including claims that a gate construction cost N16 billion, Obasa dismissed them as baseless. Mocking the accusation, he said, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”

The former speaker clarified that he was not intimidated by his impeachment, stating, “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people, and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.”

Obasa criticized the manner in which the impeachment was carried out, citing precedents where removals within the assembly adhered to established norms.

He referenced the impeachment of former Speaker Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi and former Deputy Speaker Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, noting that neither process involved police intervention.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence. An innocent person should not be discredited without clear evidence of wrongdoing,” he added.

Obasa expressed gratitude to the members of the Governance Advisory Council and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom he described as a brother.

Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on January 13 by over two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and other offences.

His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately sworn in as the new Speaker, making history as the first female to occupy the position in Lagos State.