By The NewsMata
Suspended Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, has resumed duty following his reinstatement by the National Industrial Court (NIC).
Newsmata.com.ng recalls that Onafeko was suspended on January 13, the same day Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker by 36 out of 40 lawmakers during plenary. Onafeko however approached the NIC to challenge his indefinite suspension which then ordered his reinstatement pending the determination of the suit he filed against the state government and others.
On Wednesday, February 26, Onafeko was seen at the Assembly complex, where he was welcomed by staff before leaving shortly afterward. However, on Thursday, he returned to the Assembly accompanied by the ousted Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, along with armed security personnel.
Addressing journalists in his office on Thursday, Onafeko said he was not given prior notice before he was suspended. He explained that he was appointed as Clerk in 2022 for a four-year term, with eligibility for reappointment under the Lagos State House of Assembly Legislative Service Commission Law.
Expressing confusion over his suspension, he accused the lawmakers of “legislative rascality”, insisting that he had committed no offense to justify his suspension.
According to Onafeko, “With the court order reinstating me as Clerk, the illegality and legislative rascality by the lawmakers have been eliminated”, adding that the court order reinstating him had been duly served on the concerned parties and must be obeyed.
“This is a victory for the rule of law and the ethos of a civil society. The court remains the last hope of the common man, including the oppressed,” the Clerk stated.