Protesters storm high court in Osun over LG funds dispute

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Protesters on Wednesday stormed the Osun State High Court in Osogbo over the ongoing legal dispute surrounding local government funds.

The protesters, who gathered at the Lameco area of Osogbo, marched to the High Court carrying placards, while police operatives were deployed to maintain law and order.

Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as “Say no to disobedience to court order and judgment,” “Osun judiciary must not disobey rule of law,” “All must obey court order,” “Don’t cause anarchy,” “Say no to make-up verdict,” and “Rule of law above other interests.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, who are reinstated local government executives, Hon. Maaroof Ogundipe warned that the continued hearing of a criminal suit against United Bank for Africa (UBA) officials by a Magistrate Court presided over by A.A. Adeyeba, despite rulings by higher courts, could lead to crisis.

He added that the group may petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), describing the situation as worrisome, particularly where the court is allegedly acting in a manner that undermines the rule of law.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olayanju Kolapo, said, “Over five judgments have been delivered against them, including that of the Supreme Court in December 2025. We want to warn that continued unprecedented disrespect and disregard for the rule of law under the Osun State judiciary may result in anarchy.”

It would be recalled that a Magistrate Court had issued a bench warrant against executives of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in a suit instituted by the Osun State Government over the release of funds to reinstated All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen.

However, the Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, presided over by Justice Matthias Agboola in Suit No. HOS/M4/2026, granted an order in a motion ex parte to quash the criminal proceedings against UBA and its staff at the Magistrate Court. Despite the High Court order, the criminal proceedings reportedly continued at the Magistrate Court, a development the reinstated council officials have strongly opposed.