Sources have reportedly revealed how President Bola Tinubu reportedly played a key role in the recent court decision that reinstated Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to Sahara Reporters, the ruling, made by Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, declared Obasa’s removal illegal and unconstitutional.
However, sources learned that this outcome may have been part of a political arrangement.
Insiders allege that in exchange for ruling in Obasa’s favour, Justice Pinheiro was promised a promotion to the Court of Appeal, and that her husband, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kemi Pinheiro, was involved in discussions with the Presidency.
Justice Pinheiro’s ruling effectively reversed Obasa’s impeachment and invalidated the Assembly session that had elected Mojisola Meranda as Speaker in his absence.
Although President Tinubu had earlier met with Lagos lawmakers and appeared to broker a deal for Meranda to step down while Obasa would drop his court case, sources claim Tinubu privately advised Obasa to proceed with the lawsuit, assuring him the judge would rule in his favour.
Obasa had been impeached on January 13 while he was in the United States, facing allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
Upon his return, he challenged the decision in court.
Reports suggest that in February, Kemi Pinheiro met with the President in Abuja, where he allegedly promised to influence his wife’s decision.
When contacted, Mr. Pinheiro strongly denied the accusation, insisting he was in Abuja for unrelated legal matters.
Despite Meranda complying with Tinubu’s directive to resign, Obasa refused to withdraw his case.
His legal team remained confident, and the judge ultimately reinstated him.
