The National Industrial Court in Lagos has directed the reinstatement of Olalekan Onafeko, the removed Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The decision follows an ex parte application filed by Onafeko through his legal representative, Yusuf Nurudeen, in a case against the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and Mr. Babatunde Ottun.
Onafeko previously served as Clerk until January 13, when Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was removed as Speaker, leading to the election of Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as his replacement.
The leadership shake-up sparked internal conflicts within the House and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. Following Obasa’s removal, Onafeko was also dismissed, and Babatunde Ottun was appointed as acting Clerk.
In suit number NICN/LA/23/2025, Onafeko requested an interim order to prevent the defendants from appointing or recognizing any other individual, including Ottun, as Clerk while the court considers his interlocutory injunction.
Justice M. N. Esowe granted the request, ruling that Ottun must stop acting as Clerk and ordered that the position should be restored to its previous state before the crisis.
“All parties are to maintain peace and revert to the prior arrangement until the motion on notice is heard and determined,” Esowe stated.
The judge scheduled the hearing of the motion on notice for March 3, 2024.