Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is facing renewed allegations of financial impropriety and mismanagement, raising questions about accountability in the state’s leadership. Reports from People’s Gazette allege that over ₦43 billion was spent on “back-up vehicles for honourable members” between January 2023 and the third quarter of 2024. This expenditure, part of a larger ₦90.5 billion disbursed for controversial projects, equates to approximately ₦1.1 billion per lawmaker, drawing sharp criticism amid Lagos State’s economic struggles.
These allegations follow a history of financial misconduct claims against Obasa. In 2019, reports surfaced that he allegedly operated over 60 bank accounts for the purpose of misappropriating funds, including $2.4 million (₦1.1 billion) in suspicious foreign exchange transactions. Obasa was also questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2020 over claims of inflated contracts and misused Assembly funds. Despite protests by civil society groups, including the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CISNAC), there has been little progress in holding him accountable.
Obasa has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections. He dismissed claims such as spending ₦17 billion on constructing a gate and ₦200 million on a non-existent thanksgiving service as “spurious and funny.” However, critics view his explanations as insufficient.
The allegations against Obasa underscore a growing divide between the priorities of political leaders and the needs of the public. With mounting pressure on anti-graft agencies to act, the outcome of this controversy may set a significant precedent for governance and accountability in Nigeria.