A National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has issued an order reinstating Olalekan Onafeko as the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly following his controversial removal.
Justice M. N. Esowe granted the order in response to an ex parte application filed by Onafeko’s legal representative, Yusuf Nurudeen.
The case, marked NICN/LA/23/2025, was instituted against the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Speaker of the House, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and Babatunde Ottun.
Onafeko, who served as Clerk until January 13, was removed from office following the ousting of former Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.
His dismissal coincided with the leadership shake-up that saw Mojisola Lasbat Meranda assume the position of Speaker.
In the aftermath, Babatunde Ottun was named acting Clerk, further fueling tensions within the House and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his suit, Onafeko sought an interim injunction to restrain the defendants from recognising or allowing Ottun—or any other person—to act as Clerk pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction.
Justice Esowe, ruling on the ex parte application, directed that Ottun “cease to parade himself as Clerk” and ordered a return to the status quo before the leadership crisis erupted.
“Both parties shall maintain peace and revert to the situation that existed before the dispute until the motion on notice is heard and determined,” the judge ruled.
It was reported that the court scheduled the hearing of the motion on notice for March 3, 2024.
PM News
