Sacked Lagos Assembly Clerk Onafeko Threatens Legal Action Against Speaker Meranda for Contempt of Court

Lawyers representing Olalekan Onafeko, the sacked Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, have issued a warning to Speaker Mojisola Meranda for potential contempt of court after failing to comply with a National Industrial Court ruling. The court had ordered Onafeko’s reinstatement following his removal during the ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos Assembly....CONTINUE READING>>>

Onafeko was removed on January 13, 2025, after the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The court had directed that Babatunde Ottun, appointed as his replacement, cease acting as the Clerk until the case was resolved. Justice M. N. Esowe’s ruling maintained that the status quo should be preserved.

However, the Speaker’s alleged refusal to comply with the court’s order has led Onafeko’s legal team to threaten contempt proceedings. According to the lawyers, when they visited the Assembly to enforce the court’s decision, they found the office padlocked.

One of Onafeko’s lawyers addressed the situation, emphasizing the court’s ruling: “The court ordered that Olalekan Onafeko resume his office as the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly… we were not welcomed, and the office was locked.” The lawyer further stated that they would pursue contempt charges if the office remained inaccessible.

Onafeko’s legal team also criticized the removal process, arguing that he had not received any formal notice of wrongdoing despite his long service in the state government. They contended that no proper procedure had been followed in his suspension.

The lawyers warned that if Speaker Meranda continued to ignore the court’s decision, they would file a contempt charge against her. The situation underscores the ongoing leadership dispute in the Lagos State House of Assembly, which has seen significant controversy and changes in recent months.

The National Industrial Court had earlier ruled in favor of Onafeko, granting his reinstatement through an ex parte application. This followed a lawsuit against various government bodies, including the Lagos State House of Assembly and its leadership.

As the legal battle continues, tensions remain high over the leadership issues within the Lagos Assembly, with Onafeko and his lawyers determined to hold Speaker Meranda accountable for disobeying the court order.

WATCH: Sacked Lagos Assembly Clerk Onafeko Threatens Contempt Action Against Speaker @rthonmjmeranda For Defying Court Order pic.twitter.com/BDogFVzWoa

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 26, 2025