Shock Discovery: Supreme Court Reveals, Impeached Lagos Speaker, Obasa Isn’t a Registered Lawyer
Fresh controversies have emerged surrounding the recent impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. A document circulating on social media has raised questions about his legal qualifications, revealing that his name is not listed among Nigeria’s registered legal practitioners.
A Supreme Court document, dated July 24, 2020, has confirmed that Obasa is not registered as a legal practitioner. The document was a response to a verification request regarding Obasa’s status as a lawyer. It was signed by Gertrude Karenton-Mordi, acting on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Titled “Re: Verification of Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the document stated that Obasa was not found on the official rolls of legal practitioners maintained by the Supreme Court. It also suggested that Obasa should present his Call to Bar certificate and any relevant documents for proper enrollment if he wished to be registered.
The document reads in part: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 23, 2020, regarding the subject matter. After reviewing our records, we have been unable to locate the name Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa among the Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept by this Honourable Court. Mr. Obasa is welcome to visit the Court with his Call to Bar certificate and any other relevant documentation for enrollment. If a name change has occurred, supporting evidence should also be provided.”
Dr. Fetus Akande, the Supreme Court’s spokesperson, confirmed the authenticity of the document, stating, “It originated from our office.”
Obasa had previously claimed to have earned a law degree from Lagos State University in 2006. However, an anonymous individual sent a verification request to the Supreme Court on July 23, 2020, to confirm whether Obasa’s name appeared in the official records of legal practitioners.
Obasa’s impeachment as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly occurred on Monday, following allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. This decision cleared the way for the appointment of the first female speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda.
