The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 29, 2025, to rule on a jurisdictional challenge brought by Osun State in its suit over withheld Local Government funds.
Osun State contends that the case should be heard in Osogbo, arguing that the court’s permission to hear the matter during vacation in Abuja, which ended on September 16, is now invalid.
Musibau Adetunbi, counsel for the state government, also questioned the authenticity of a letter assigning the case to Justice Emeka Nwite in Abuja beyond the vacation period. Adetunbi noted that the letter was signed by an unofficial office assistant, describing it as a sign of questionable legitimacy. He urged the court to first validate the letter before proceeding with the matter.
On the other hand, counsel for the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation accused Osun State of employing delaying tactics. They stressed urgency, noting that the tenures of APC local government officials would end on October 22.
After hearing submissions from all parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to September 29, 2025, to decide on the jurisdiction issue before considering other aspects of the case.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court struck out the Attorney General of the Federation from the suit due to a pending case against him in the Supreme Court.
The suit by Osun State seeks to prevent the CBN from operating accounts for APC-elected local government chairmen, whom the state says were removed by previous court judgments, and to stop disbursement of funds to these officials.
Counsel for the parties included Tajudeen Oladeji for the Accountant General of the Federation, Murtala Abdulrasheed for the CBN, and Musibau Adetunbi for the Osun State Government.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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