The recently impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, is facing fresh allegations as a Supreme Court document has revealed that his name does not appear in the records of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
The controversy adds to the challenges confronting Obasa after his removal from office as a document which surfaced on the social media, reveals that his name is not in the record of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
The document, titled, “Re: Verification of Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the apex court, according to the document, advised the impeached speaker to come to the apex court with relevant documents for enrolment, as his name was not found in the apex court’s records”
The document dated July 24, 2020, signed by Gertrude Karenton-Mordi on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court was issued in response to a verification request concerning Obasa’s status as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The letter explicitly stated that his name was not found in the Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept by the court.
The document read, “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd July, 2020 and on the above captured subject matter. This is to inform you that we have checked our records and cannot find the name: MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA on the numerous Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept in this Honourable Court.
“MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA is at liberty to come to this Honourable Court with his Call to bar and qualifying certificates for enrolment. If he has done a change of name, he is expected to show proof of same.”
The Supreme Court advised Obasa to present his Call to Bar certificate and other qualifying documents to confirm his enrollment. If there had been a change of name, proof of the change was also requested. The court’s findings, which surfaced on social media, have further cast doubt on the embattled former speaker’s professional background.
Supreme Court spokesman, Dr. Fetus Akande, confirmed the authenticity of the document. He stated, “It emanated from our office,” further validating the concerns raised about Obasa’s legal credentials. This has raised questions about his previous claims of being a qualified lawyer.
Obasa had claimed to have earned a bachelor’s degree in Law from Lagos State University in 2006. However, an anonymous individual submitted the inquiry to the Supreme Court on July 23, 2020, seeking to verify his enrollment status. The resulting response has intensified scrutiny of his professional claims.
This revelation comes shortly after Obasa’s impeachment on Monday by the Lagos State House of Assembly. His removal was linked to allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office, which paved the way for Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda to assume the role of the first female Speaker of the Assembly.
Credit: Arise News