The controversy surrounding the procurement of N5 billion worth of vehicles for 40 lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly has escalated, further straining relations between Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his predecessor, Mojisola Meranda.
According to The PUNCH, sources revealed that Meranda, who briefly served as Speaker after Obasa’s removal, oversaw the purchase of 39 vehicles before Obasa’s return to office. However, it was gathered that Obasa had earlier approved N7 billion for the same purpose in December 2024, before his ouster on January 13, 2025.
Meranda became Speaker after 35 out of 40 lawmakers voted to remove Obasa over allegations of high-handedness and financial misappropriation. However, after 49 days in office, she resigned on March 3, following the intervention of the All Progressives Congress leadership, paving the way for Obasa’s reinstatement.
Despite the political settlement, tensions persist, with Obasa filing a lawsuit against Meranda and the Assembly at the Lagos State High Court, contesting the legitimacy of his removal.
Beyond the court battle, disagreement has emerged over the vehicle purchase, as Obasa reportedly insists that the cars were procured without his authorisation.
“He had approved the money before his removal, but Meranda proceeded with buying them, a move that infuriated Obasa,” an aide to the Speaker, who preferred anonymity, said on Tuesday.
Another source within the Assembly provided further context. “In December, Obasa approved the purchase of those vehicles, but he planned to buy them from Dubai.
“When Meranda took over, she made it an open bidding process, and they were no longer sourced from Dubai. That’s the only difference. It’s not as if any money was stolen, as some are suggesting.”
When contacted, Meranda’s spokesperson, Victor Ganzallo, said an official statement would be issued. “We will put out an official statement,” he said. However, as of press time, no statement had been released.
A source close to Meranda defended her decision, stating that she actually saved the Assembly N2 billion by purchasing 32 units of the 2025 Toyota Prado SUV and seven units of the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 for N5 billion, instead of the N7 billion budgeted by Obasa.
“Let it be known that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda never withdrew any funds from the Assembly’s account. She only made a downward review of an existing procurement approval by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, thereby saving the House N2 billion,” the source stated.
According to him, Obasa had initially approved the purchase of 35 Toyota Fortuner SUVs and 10 Toyota Prado SUVs from Dubai for N7 billion.
“As a matter of fact, he made the approval on December 23, 2024. Upon his removal, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda reviewed the approval, called for a local bidding process, and approved the sum of N5 billion for 32 units of 2025 Toyota Prado SUVs and seven units of Toyota Land Cruisers, saving N2 billion for the House. Unlike Obasa, who planned to import the vehicles from Dubai, all the cars were sourced locally. It is imperative to note that no money was withdrawn by Rt. Hon. Meranda; she only reviewed an existing approval. Interestingly, she spent far less and acquired better-quality cars, and she didn’t even approve one for the office of the Speaker that she occupied,” he added.
Meanwhile, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), explained why the Speaker is still pursuing legal action despite his reinstatement.
“There are still unresolved issues within the context of the notice of allegations. The case contains reasons for the impeachment, including highhandedness and fraudulent malpractices, and we feel that those issues must be addressed,” he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the hearing of Obasa’s suit to March 17, 2025.
The hearing was initially scheduled for March 10, but during Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that Obasa’s legal team, led by Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), had served further affidavits that same day.