The Lagos State High Court has fixed March 7 for the hearing of all applications in the suit filed by the embattled former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, challenging his removal as speaker.

The respondents in the suit are members of the state assembly and the current speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Mr Obasa was impeached on January 13 following allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, and the deputy, Mrs Meranda, was elected as his successor.

When the case was called on Friday, several senior advocates of Nigeria appeared for the plaintiff and the respondents.

Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) appeared for Mr Obasa, while Femi Falana (SAN), Muiz Banire (SAN), and a team of other lawyers represented 34 lawmakers.

Also, Olu Daramola (SAN) and Dada Awosika (SAN) represented other members of the house seeking to be joined in the suit.

Equally, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Bimbo Akeredolu (SAN) and other lawyers are to represent Ms Meranda, the new speaker.

There was a mild drama over who would represent members of the state assembly.

Mr Falana initially announced his appearance for the assembly members, but another counsel, Abang Mkpandiok, told the court he was alwas also representingawmakers.

Mr Mkpandiok said he was briefed Thursday night by the assembly members and filed a motion for change of counsel in the morning.

He said the choice of counsel was a fundamental right and urged the court to take his application first.

Mr Falana, in his objection, told the court that he had not been served and remained the counsel on record for the assembly members.

Mr Oyetibo also confirmed to the court that he had not been served with the application.

Mr Mkpandiok then elected to serve the application in court.

After reviewing the court’s records, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro stated that the application for change of counsel was not ripe for hearing.

She held, “The application for accelerated hearing will not be taking place today.”

Ms Pinheiro, in her short ruling, also ordered that all members of the Lagos House of Assembly be joined as parties in the suit.

The judge adjourned until March 7 for a hearing of the pending preliminary objections.

In an application dated February 12, Mr Obasa alleged that he was unlawfully removed from his position on January 13 by 36 lawmakers while he was abroad.

Some house members who were not initially listed as defendants filed their applications seeking to be joined as parties.

(NAN)