The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has extended its interim order restraining the United Bank for Africa (UBA) from allowing withdrawals from 30 bank accounts where withheld allocations belonging to Osun State local governments were deposited by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Justice Ladiran Akintola granted the extension to ensure fair hearing for all parties in the case marked Suit No. 1/1149/2025, which involves the Attorney General of Osun State, the Osun State Local Government Service Commission, and UBA Plc.
During the court session, counsel to UBA was absent, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kazeem Gbadamosi, who represents the dismissed APC council chairmen, appeared after filing an application for joinder. However, counsel to the plaintiffs, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), objected to the move, arguing that the application had just been served on him and he needed time to study it.
Adetunmbi said, “I received the two applications yesterday and today. I must be given time to study them and file my responses in law.” He maintained that the ex-council chairmen lacked legal standing until their joinder application was approved by the court.
In a separate affidavit, the Head of Local Government Administration in Boluwaduro LGA, Mrs. Rachael Abidemi Aluko, alleged attempts to misuse council funds despite the existing order. She referred to a letter allegedly written by individuals posing as Chairman and Treasurer of Boluwaduro LGA, instructing the deduction of 15 percent of allocations for payment to a private law firm, describing the act as unauthorized.
The plaintiffs further stated that the true status of the local government chairmen is already before the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/773/2025, stressing that any premature withdrawal of funds could jeopardize justice. After the sitting, Adetunmbi told reporters that the extension of the freezing order was vital to protect the funds until the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for October 7.
