The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has extended an interim injunction restraining the Osun State Government from tampering with or accessing funds belonging to local government councils in the state, pending the determination of a substantive suit before it. The decision comes as the legal battle over control of the councils’ financial resources continues to generate heated debate.
The order, which was originally granted in response to an application filed by some local government chairmen, was on Friday extended by the presiding judge after arguments from both parties. The claimants had accused the state government of unlawfully withholding and diverting funds meant for grassroots development, thereby crippling governance at the local level.
Counsel to the applicants argued that the local governments, as the third tier of government, are entitled to financial autonomy under the constitution. They urged the court to ensure that allocations from the Federation Account reach the councils directly without interference from the state government. The lawyers insisted that allowing the state to continue controlling the funds would further weaken service delivery and erode democratic structures in the local councils.
On its part, the Osun State Government, through its legal representatives, countered that its actions were in line with existing laws and constitutional provisions, stressing that the state retained supervisory authority over local government administration. The state also dismissed the allegations of diversion as baseless, noting that it had consistently managed the funds for the benefit of the people.
The presiding judge, after listening to both sides, ruled that maintaining the injunction was necessary to preserve the subject matter of the case until a final judgment is delivered. The court adjourned the matter to a later date for further hearing, emphasizing that neither party should take any step that could prejudice the ongoing proceedings.
The extension of the injunction has been welcomed by local government officials and advocacy groups who see it as a step towards safeguarding grassroots democracy. However, the development has also sparked political reactions, with opposition parties accusing the state government of deliberate attempts to weaken local administration, while ruling party supporters maintain that the matter is being politicized.
As the legal tussle drags on, residents across Osun State are hopeful that the court’s final decision will ensure greater accountability in the management of council funds and restore efficiency to local governance.
