Mudashiru Obasa has been impeached as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, bringing an end to his nearly 10-year reign. Obasa was removed by 32 members of the Assembly while he was in Atlanta, following allegations of multiple statutory and financial infractions.
His deputy, Lasbat Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, has been appointed as the new Speaker.
Allegations of Fund Mismanagement
Obasa who has been a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2007, representing Agege Constituency 1 has faced numerous accusations of fraud and fund mismanagement throughout his tenure. In 2019, Obasa was accused of mismanaging public funds and embezzling resources meant for the Lagos State House of Assembly. Investigations suggested large sums of money were diverted for personal use. Obasa denied these allegations, claiming they were politically motivated.
In 2020, further allegations surfaced accusing Obasa of mismanaging the Assembly’s budget. These allegations focused on suspicious financial transactions, particularly the approval of contracts awarded to companies allegedly linked to Obasa and his associates. He was also accused of inflating project costs and misallocating funds for personal gain. Millions of naira meant for welfare programs and legislative activities were reportedly misused.
Obasa also faced allegations regarding the mismanagement of constituency development funds meant for his constituents. Reports suggested that funds allocated for community projects were either underutilized or misdirected. Obasa denied these claims. These allegations led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into Obasa for fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. However, the results of the investigation have not been publicly released.
What’s Next?
Obasa had been mentioned as a potential contender for the Lagos State governorship in 2027. His impeachment may affect his political future, particularly his aspirations to become governor. Additionally, with his removal as Speaker, there is a possibility that legal challenges could intensify, and the EFCC may reopen investigations into his financial conduct.
