In a letter dated September 20, 2025, and signed by the Clerk of the House, O.B. Onafeko, the Assembly summoned the association’s chairman to appear before its committee on housing on Tuesday, September 23, at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.

“Further to the receipt of your petition on the above subject, I write to invite you to a meeting with the Committee on Housing. You are enjoined to attend the meeting along with relevant documents that would facilitate fruitful deliberations,” the letter stated.

The intervention follows years of deepening disputes between residents and the estate’s developer, Trojan Estates, owned by President Bola Tinubu’s brother, Kunle Tinubu, particularly over electricity supply and governance structures.

Royal Gardens Estate has been without public electricity for over a year, following the disconnection of the community from the national grid by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, on May 26, 2024.

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At the heart of the crisis is the imposition of a bulk metering system under which the entire estate is billed collectively, in violation of the 2023 Electricity Act.

While many other estates in Lagos, including VGC, Nicon Town, and Crown Estate, have successfully transitioned to direct metering, Trojan Estates has reportedly resisted such reforms.

EKEDC had previously indicated its readiness to migrate Royal Gardens to direct billing if allowed, but Trojan has insisted on maintaining the bulk system.

This has left residents, who are forced to pay a controversial ₦27,000 monthly electricity levy, plunged into darkness whenever there is a shortfall in payments to EKEDC, regardless of whether individuals have topped up their meters.

The electricity dispute has further exposed cracks in estate governance.

Residents accuse Trojan Estates of unilateral decision-making and a refusal to recognise the democratically elected Royal Gardens Estate Residents Association, RGERA, executive committee.

Also among allegations levelled against Trojan are attempts to dismantle community-funded infrastructure such as solar streetlights, arbitrary disconnection of homes, imposition of service charges without consultation, and a breakdown in basic services such as waste collection.

“The crisis in Royal Gardens Estate is not just about electricity or infrastructure—it is about fairness, justice, and the right of every resident to live in dignity and peace,” the RGERA stated in a recent petition.

The dispute has already spilled into the courts.

After the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, invited both parties for hearings on direct metering, Trojan reportedly refused to attend and instead filed a lawsuit challenging NERC’s authority.

The matter, brought under Trojan’s operating company, Solar Gardens Project Ltd, is currently before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The Assembly’s move is widely seen as an attempt to mediate in the festering crisis before it spirals further.

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The directive, issued by Acting Clerk, Mr Babatunde Ottun, was communicated in a memo to all staff in Lagos on Sunday.

The memo is titled ‘Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement’.

The crisis began after 32 lawmakers removed Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and ex-Clerk Olalekan Onafeko in January.

Obasa was replaced by his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, as the new Speaker.

The crisis intensified on February 17 when DSS operatives sealed off the Assembly complex, preventing a plenary session.

In spite of this, lawmakers forced their way into the chambers, held a session, and adjourned indefinitely, declaring a vote of confidence in Meranda.

Meanwhile, three Assembly staff members face trial for allegedly assaulting DSS operatives during the standoff.

Obasa rejected his removal as unconstitutional.

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On February 27, he stormed the Assembly complex with heavy security, allegedly breaking into the Speaker’s office.

He resumed duties, and his supporters also besieged the Assembly, demanding his reinstatement.

Obasa has filed a lawsuit against Meranda, the Assembly, and 36 lawmakers, challenging his removal.

The Ikeja Court will hear the case on Friday.

In spite of the ongoing crisis, Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, recognised the leadership change and urged staff to support the new Speaker and Acting Clerk.

Ottun explained that the directive aimed to ensure staff safety and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

He said, “This directive is necessary pending the resolution of the leadership dispute.

“All staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM, and Legislative Aides are requested to work remotely until further notice.”

Ottun assured staff of Speaker Meranda’s commitment to their safety and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Source: NAN

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The Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda (APC-Apapa 1), made this known on Friday while presiding over plenary as the new Speaker.

Mr Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on Monday over alleged  gross misconduct by 32 out of the 40 members.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Lekan Onafeko, was also suspended over alleged gross financial impropriety.

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The House also dissolved all the standing committees inaugurated by the former Speaker.

According to Meranda, the announcement of new officers is as a result of the change of the leadership of the House.

“The House has named Mr Temitope Adewale (APC-Ifako-Ijaiye 1), as the new Majority Leader, while Mr Adedamola Kasunmu (APC- Ikeja 1), is the new Deputy Majority Leader.

“This House has also named the Chief Whip, Mr Setonjo David (APC-Badagry 2), while the Deputy Chief Whip is now Mr Babatunde Saani (APC-Kosofe 2),” she said.

Before Obasa’s impeachment, Mr Nojeem Adams was the Majority Leader, while Adedamola Kasunmu was the Deputy Leader.

Mr Fatai Mojeed, the new Deputy Speaker, was the Chief Whip, while Setonji David was the Deputy Chief Whip.

Obasa, former Majority Leader, Mr Nojeem Adams, and Mr Akinsanya were absent at the first plenary presided over by the new leadership.

Source: NAN

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Prior to his appointment, Onafeko was the  Head of Administration/Human Resources Directorate of Lagos House of Assembly.

His appointment was announced on Monday,  September 28, 2020, by  the Deputy Speaker of the House, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni.

According to the Deputy Speaker, “It is the responsibility of the Selection Committee of the House to appoint a new Clerk.

“We have met many qualified staff and we considered so many qualities such as competence, desirability and others and so we appointed Mr. Olalekan Onafeko,” he said.

The immediate past Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni retired from the Service on September 10, 2020, after serving meritoriously for 35 years.

Since then, the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Taiwo Otun, had been acting as the Clerk during plenary.

Onafeko has a degree in Business Administration from Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, and LL. B Laws from Lagos State University, Ojo, and Nigerian Law School.

He joined Lagos State Civil Service in 2000 as Administrative/ Human Resources Officer 2, on Grade level 08, and was posted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He was deployed to the Lagos House of Assembly in 2005 as Administrative Officer/ Human Resources Officer 1, on Grade level 9.

He has won several awards such as Annual Best Officer Award, Best Officer Award, Senior Category at the Year 2014 Public Service Week.

He had been nominated twice for National Merit Award.

Onafeko is the third Head of Administrative / Human Resources Directorate that will be appointed Acting Clerk and later substantive Clerk in the history of Lagos House of Assembly.

The first was Mr. Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru in August 2011 when the then Clerk, Mr. Taiwo Olatunji retired.

The immediate past Clerk, Mr. Azeez Sanni was the Director of Finance and Administration in 2016 when he was appointed Acting Clerk after the retirement of Mr Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru.

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