By John Dike, Osogbo
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday extended its earlier interim order freezing the 30 Osun State Local Governments’ bank accounts with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
The presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, ruled that the “Post No Debit” (PND) directive on the accounts will remain in force until Friday, October 10, 2025, when the matter is expected to continue.
“The case is adjourned till Friday for further hearing, while the interim injunction shall continue to subsist,” the judge declared, citing the need to uphold the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The courtroom saw heightened legal tensions as political parties sought to formally join the suit.
Chief Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN, counsel to the Osun State Attorney General, revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a joinder application, but said his team would oppose it.
“Even though the PDP has a constitutional right to fair hearing, we believe this case is narrow and straightforward. The joinder will only complicate matters unnecessarily,” Adetunmbi said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) also made an appearance through its ex-council chairmen. Their counsel, Mr. Kasim Gbadamosi (SAN), announced his intention to withdraw a second application for joinder, arguing that the matter was already before the Supreme Court.
“This suit amounts to an abuse of judicial process since a similar issue is currently being adjudicated at the apex court,” Gbadamosi said.
In a surprising move, UBA’s counsel, Mutalib Adebayo Ojo (SAN), aligned with the APC’s argument and urged the court to adjourn the matter sine die pending the Supreme Court’s resolution of the related case.
“We’re merely custodians of the funds and not involved in the political dispute. This court should stay proceedings until the Supreme Court decides,” Ojo submitted.
The case, filed as Suit No. 1/1167/2025, stems from a fierce legal dispute over the control and disbursement of local government funds following the exit of elected officials under the APC and the swearing-in of a PDP-led administration in Osun State.
The plaintiffs had earlier secured interim injunctions, restraining UBA from tampering with the accounts of the 30 local government councils, which include areas from Atakumosa East to Osogbo.
The court had also issued a mandatory injunction compelling UBA to freeze the identified accounts via a Post No Debit (PND) restriction, effectively blocking any withdrawals or transactions pending court determination.
Justice Akintola is expected to rule on the joinder applications and other preliminary objections when the court reconvenes on Friday, October 10.
Meanwhile, a parallel suit filed by PDP-backed local government chairmen is also scheduled for hearing the same day, potentially setting the stage for a significant legal showdown.
