NBA writes AGF, demands immediate release of Osun LG funds

•Threatens legal action against FG •Osun traditional council seeks Tinubu’s intervention

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Federal Government to immediately release statutory allocations due to local government councils in Osun State, describing the continued withholding of the funds as unconstitutional, illegal, and a dangerous affront to judicial pronouncements.

In a letter dated August 19, 2025 and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the NBA urged the Federal Government to respect the rule of law and refrain from setting what it termed a “dangerous precedent” that weakens confidence in democratic institutions.

The association, in the letter jointly signed by its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and general secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, expressed concern over unrefuted reports that allocations from the Federation Account meant for Osun councils have been withheld since February 2025.

A copy of the letter was also sent to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The NBA said there was “no legal justification” for the action, warning that “it cannot but constitute clear impunity were it to be true that funds meant for the LGAs are currently being seized or withheld.”

Citing Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution and landmark rulings, including A.G. Lagos State v. A.G. Federation (2004), the Association stressed that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has no power to suspend or withhold statutory allocations due to local governments.

The body recalled that a series of court judgments had already clarified the legal status of local government leadership in Osun State. It noted that while the October 15, 2022 elections produced All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors, subsequent judgments of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, nullified their elections.

Although one of the rulings was later struck out on technical grounds by the Court of Appeal, the NBA emphasised that the second judgment of November 30, 2022 which also sacked the APC officials remains valid and subsisting, as subsequent appeals were either dismissed or abandoned.

Furthermore, the NBA highlighted that the Osun State High Court, in February 2025, directed the conduct of fresh elections, which were held on February 22, 2025 and won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The association stressed that these PDP officials were “the only valid and legitimate officials” entitled to occupy council offices and, by extension, receive statutory allocations.

 “It is the considered view of the NBA, supported by the correct interpretation of the relevant judgments of the Court of Appeal, that the only valid and legitimate officials who can legally occupy the elective offices in the LGAs in Osun State are those of the Peoples Democratic Party. They are, therefore, legitimately entitled to the release of the funds meant for their respective councils,” the letter stated.

The association warned that withholding the funds undermines constitutional guarantees under Sections 7 and 162, which provide for a system of local government and their financial autonomy. It urged the AGF to act swiftly to forestall further violation of the Constitution and avoid unnecessary escalation.

The NBA also directed its National Litigation Committee and the Section on Public Interest and Development Law to begin urgent engagement with stakeholders, including the Federal Government, Osun State government, and the National Assembly, and vowed to institute a public interest suit if the funds are not released.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Osun State, under the aegis of the Osun Council of Obas, on Tuesday held a marathon meeting at the palace of Ooni, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and later appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

The royal fathers said, “We call on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as father of the nation, to hear the cries of community dwellers across farmlands and villages who are suffering from the total deactivation of LG activities.

“Whether political or judicial, we implore Mr. President to resolve this crisis for the benefit of Osun State and her rural communities.

“We express confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and commend him for his recent push to assign constitutional roles to traditional rulers.”

According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, hosted by the council’s permanent chairman, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the traditional rulers bemoaned the untoward hardship the situation had brought to the state.

They also noted that the non-release of the local government funds had affected governance in the local government and its development.

“Resolving the blockade of Osun LG allocations will not only revitalize rural development but also re-energize the traditional institution to continue complementing the Federal Government in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.

 “As purely apolitical fathers of the land, we are not interested in the politics or individual differences behind the seizure of allocations. Our concern is to see a functional local government system working for the benefit of all, especially the vulnerable in our communities,” the Obas said.

READ ALSO: Osun monarchs urge Tinubu to intervene on release of LG funds