ALGON Raises Alarm Over Alleged Disobedience of High Court Order in Osun LG Funds Dispute

 

The Forum of Council Chairmen in Osun State, under the umbrella of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has raised serious concerns over what it described as a gross disregard for the rule of law following actions taken by the Osun State Government and a Magistrate Court in Osogbo.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, ALGON alleged that a valid and subsisting order of the Osun State High Court was deliberately disobeyed during proceedings held on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, in a case involving the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the Osun State Government.

According to ALGON, the Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, presided over by Justice M. O. Agboola of High Court 6, had on 30 January 2026 granted UBA leave to seek the quashing of criminal charges instituted against the bank by the Osun State Government. The High Court also issued an order staying further proceedings at the Magistrate Court and directed that the case file be transferred to the High Court for judicial review.

Despite the order, ALGON alleged that Magistrate A. A. Adeyeba of the Magistrate Court continued to entertain the matter and issued further directives, including bench warrants and subsequent orders affecting the bank and local government finances.

The group recalled that when the matter came up again on 10 February 2026, counsel to UBA informed the Magistrate that the High Court order had been duly filed and served. It was further stated that the Magistrate, who is listed as the first defendant in the suit before the High Court, was represented by counsel and had knowledge of the order.

ALGON noted that while counsel to the state reportedly argued that the matter could proceed, UBA’s counsel maintained that the High Court order remained binding until set aside by a higher court. The association alleged that notwithstanding these submissions and legal warnings from senior lawyers present in court, the Magistrate proceeded to make further orders, including restraining UBA from releasing funds to local governments in the state and directing the bank to enter into a ₦1 billion bond.

Describing the development as a serious threat to judicial hierarchy and constitutional order, ALGON said the actions amounted to contempt of court and could undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Speaking on behalf of the association, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Samuel Idowu Abiodun, condemned what he termed a “palpable disobedience” of a superior court order. He insisted that elected local government chairmen and councillors would continue to defend their mandates through constitutional and legal means.

ALGON called on relevant judicial authorities to urgently intervene, warning that continued disregard for court orders could escalate tensions and destabilise governance at the local government level in Osun State.