Mudashiru Obasa, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has spoken out following his removal from office, describing the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated.”
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in Joel Ogunnaike GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached, but emphasised that due process must be followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away and accused the State Commissioner of Police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the Police Commissioner, invaded the Assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
“If I am not Speaker, that’s not the end of the world. If you want to claim that I am corrupt, please prove it,” Obasa stated.
He dismissed allegations of misappropriation, mocking claims that a gate construction cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He added, “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.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
“When former speaker, Jokotola Pelumi was removed, he was in the Assembly and we did not invite policemen. When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.
“They should not discredit an innocent person. They should prove their allegations against me. The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.
“I believe in the image of our institution. We must not destroy it and I will never partake in its destruction.
“I appreciate the members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative House over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new Speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the South-West state.
Obasa, from Agege Constituency I, was first elected into the House in 2007. He has been in the chamber since then. He emerged Speaker in June 2015.
