The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has accused federal officials of illegally paying local government allocations belonging to the state into unknown accounts.
At a press conference held on Sunday in Osogbo, the union alleged that the Minister of Finance, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice authorized the release of funds for March to September into bank accounts illegally opened by court sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors.
According to the union, the accounts were opened with United Bank for Africa Plc. (UBA) without due process, in disregard of subsisting judgments and pending suits before competent courts.
“This action is bizarre, unprecedented and an open disregard for the rule of law. Paying statutory local government allocations into illegal accounts of politicians who have been removed by the courts is unacceptable,” the union stated.
NULGE stressed that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had sacked the APC council officials, while fresh elections had produced new chairmen and councillors who were already sworn in.
The union however, noted that the Federal High Court had ordered parties to maintain the status quo in a ruling delivered on May 15, 2025, with the case set to continue on September 29, 2025.
“The Attorney General is not above the law and cannot assume the role of the Supreme Court by setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” the union emphasised.
Speaking further, the union said the illegal payment directly affects its members, who as career officers are responsible for safeguarding council assets and operating the legally recognized accounts of the 30 local governments in Osun State.
It also warned that the move could trigger unrest in the state, alleging that some political actors were bent on causing anarchy to pave the way for a possible declaration of a state of emergency.
Appealing for calm, NULGE urged Osun residents to remain peaceful and expressed support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s peace-building efforts.
“We insist on the rule of law. The alternative to the rule of law is what we do not want for our state. Let us have faith in Almighty God and in our courts. By His special grace, this storm shall soon pass,” the union concluded.
