Drama In Osun: Supreme Court’s Fresh Move Sparks Local Govt Autonomy Debate

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the legal dispute between the Osun State Government and the Federal Government over the alleged withholding of local government funds due to the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The case, filed by the Osun State Government against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), challenges the non-release of statutory allocations to the 30 local government areas in the state.

At the hearing, a seven-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji announced that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to all parties.

Arguing for the plaintiff, Osun’s counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, urged the apex court to compel the AGF to immediately release the allocations to duly elected local government chairmen and councillors. He also sought an order restraining the AGF from further withholding or diverting the funds.

Adetunbi contended that the AGF acted unlawfully by recognizing All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen despite a Federal High Court ruling, later upheld by the Court of Appeal, which nullified their election.

However, counsel for the AGF, Akin Olujimi, opposed the suit, urging the Supreme Court to dismiss it on grounds of lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process. He argued that the Attorney-General of Osun State had no legal basis to invoke the apex court’s original jurisdiction.

Olujimi further maintained that the funds in question should be released to the current council officials, whose tenure, he noted, remains valid until October 22, 2025.

The court, after listening to both sides, reserved its ruling.

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