Politics

Lagos House Crisis Overflows As Court Orders Clerk’s Reinstatement

By Benjamin Abioye

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2025

The National Industrial Court in Lagos has ordered the reinstatement of Olalekan Onafeko as the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

This ruling reverses his removal, which occurred during the recent leadership crisis in the state legislature.

Justice M. N. Esowe granted an application filed by Onafeko through his lawyer, Yusuf Nurudeen. The judge also directed Babatunde Ottun, who was appointed as Onafeko’s replacement, to stop acting as the Clerk until the case is fully decided.

The case, registered as NICN/LA/23/2025, lists the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Speaker of the House, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and Babatunde Ottun as defendants.

Onafeko was removed from office on January 13, 2025, following the dramatic removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the appointment of Mojisola Meranda as the new Speaker.

Obasa’s removal led to political disputes within the Lagos State House of Assembly and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This power struggle resulted in Onafeko being replaced by Ottun.

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In response, Onafeko challenged his removal in court, arguing that it was politically motivated and unconstitutional. He also requested an interim order preventing the recognition of any other person, including Ottun, as the Clerk until a full hearing takes place.

Justice Esowe ruled in Onafeko’s favor, stating that “both parties shall maintain the peace and status quo ante bellum until the motion on notice is heard and determined.” This means that things should return to how they were before the leadership crisis.