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Federal–State Clash: AGF Accuses Osun of Flouting Court Orders, Heads to Supreme Court
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has asked the Supreme Court to compel the Osun State Government to refund seven months of local government allocations, accusing the state of contempt of court and misappropriation of funds.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports, Fagbemi’s request was contained in a counter‑affidavit filed by his counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN), in response to a suit earlier lodged by the Osun State Government over alleged non‑payment of statutory local government allocations.
The case, marked SC/CV/379/2025, was initiated by the Osun State Attorney General against the AGF as sole defendant, claiming that the Federal Government withheld the March 2025 allocation meant for the state’s 30 local government councils.
Osun alleged that the Minister of Finance, Wale Odun, admitted the funds were withheld on the AGF’s instructions. However, in a counter‑affidavit sworn to by Taye Oloyede, Special Assistant to the President on Legal Matters, the AGF denied issuing any such directive. Oloyede stated that the Finance Minister also denied the claim during a meeting on May 22, 2025, which he attended.
“Neither the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation nor the Minister of Finance gave any directive to withhold Osun’s LG allocations,” the affidavit read.
Oloyede explained that direct payment of local government funds requires states to submit verified account details to the Ministry of Finance—something Osun allegedly failed to do. He further claimed that Osun intended to channel LG funds into state‑level health and education programmes, in breach of the July 11, 2024 Supreme Court judgment that forbids state governments from spending local government allocations.
“This is a direct violation of the Supreme Court judgment which mandates that LG funds be paid and managed solely by LG councils,” Oloyede said.
Fagbemi also dismissed Osun’s reliance on the 2004 Lagos vs. FG precedent, saying it does not apply. He argued that Osun lacks legal standing to sue on behalf of local councils, especially since it has not shown proof of consent from the councils or evidence that their account details were submitted to federal authorities.
He pointed out that the officials currently running Osun’s councils were elected under the APC‑led administration and remain in office until October 2025.
Fagbemi reminded the apex court that a Federal High Court ruling previously secured by Osun had been overturned by the Court of Appeal, reaffirming that state governments must not control LG finances. He noted that Osun was defendant number 29 in the landmark July 2024 ruling ending state disbursement of LG funds, yet continued to receive and spend allocations between July 2024 and February 2025.
“This suit is a calculated attempt to use the Supreme Court as a shield to legitimise an ongoing act of disobedience,” Fagbemi stated.
He urged the Supreme Court to enforce its judgment by ordering Osun to refund all allocations collected in violation of the ruling:
“The only way to vindicate the authority of this court is to order the plaintiff to pay back all LG funds collected between July 2024 and February 2025. These should be remitted to the Minister of Finance for onward transfer to the respective local governments.”
In a five‑ground preliminary objection, the AGF argued:
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Osun is in contempt of court and not entitled to be heard.
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The state cannot appeal a Supreme Court decision.
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The matter does not raise a valid dispute for the court’s original jurisdiction under Section 232(1) of the Constitution.
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The state lacks locus standi to sue on behalf of LGs.
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Only LG councils themselves—not state governments—can seek redress over unpaid allocations.
Fagbemi maintained that Osun had arrogated to itself the role of “watchdog” over LG funds without lawful authority:
“If any LG has been wrongly deprived of its funds, it is the council itself—not the state government—that has the right to sue.”
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the Osun State Government has since filed to withdraw the suit. Olujimi confirmed the development but clarified that the matter remains in court until the withdrawal application is formally heard in September.
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“Adeyanju Tells Nigerian Govt: Terrorists Deserve Death, Not Forgiveness”.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has insisted that terrorists and their collaborators deserve the death penalty, not forgiveness.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Adeyanju made the statement while urging the Federal Government to adopt a stricter approach in tackling terrorism. On his X page, he argued that anyone involved in terrorism—or those supporting them—should face capital punishment rather than leniency.
He criticized what he described as the government’s tendency to show mercy toward terrorists, warning that such leniency could undermine national efforts to combat insecurity.
Adeyanju called on authorities to end policies that appear to pardon or reintegrate terrorists, insisting that a firm and uncompromising stance is essential to deter violent extremism and protect citizens.
“Terrorists and their sympathizers deserve death, not forgiveness. The Nigerian government must stop forgiving and romancing terrorism,” he wrote.
The comments come as Minister of Defence Christopher Musa assured Nigerians that terrorists and bandits are sustaining heavy losses in ongoing military operations. Speaking after a security briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Musa said the Armed Forces had updated the President on the latest security situation and clarified what he described as “misleading interpretations” circulating in the media.
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“Lagos Residents Hit the Streets Over Constant Power Outages”.
Residents of Lagos took to the streets on Friday to voice their frustration over persistent electricity outages, describing the state’s power supply as “epileptic” and unsustainable for both daily life and business operations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
A video shared widely on social media showed dozens of protesters, mostly youths, marching through the Fadeyi area, holding placards and chanting for consistent electricity.
The demonstrators criticized what they called the collapse of the nation’s power sector, insisting that erratic electricity is disrupting livelihoods and making life increasingly difficult across Lagos.
Placards carried by the protesters included messages such as:
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“No More Estimated Billing”
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“No More Epileptic Power Supply”
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“No Light, No Life, No Nation”
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“You’re Destroying Businesses; Give Us Regular Light”
One protester shouted, “We are not asking for too much. Give us light!” as the march continued.
Local business owners highlighted the heavy toll of inconsistent electricity on their operations, noting that reliance on fuel-powered generators has driven up costs. A shop owner said, “We cannot continue like this. Every day we spend money on fuel because there is no electricity. Many small businesses are closing because they cannot cope.”
The protest reflects growing public dissatisfaction with power supply in Lagos, with residents calling on authorities and electricity providers to ensure a stable and reliable service.
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“Ikeja Court Seizes Responsible Leaders Hotel Over Alleged Forex Fraud”.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary seizure of a multi-billion naira hotel linked to Edward Olutoke, Managing Director of the Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, following allegations that the property was purchased with funds obtained through a fraudulent forex and investment scheme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice A.O. Owoeye, sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 12, 2026, ruled that the Responsible Leaders Hotel, located at 1 Ostra Close, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, be temporarily handed over to the government. The property is valued at approximately ₦1.3 billion.
The order followed an urgent application by the EFCC, presented by its lawyer, C.C. Okezie, who provided evidence suggesting the hotel was acquired through illicit means. The application was supported by an affidavit sworn by Obed Tanko, an EFCC investigator.
According to the EFCC, Olutoke allegedly convinced numerous Nigerians to invest billions of naira in a capital-guaranteed forex trading and investment scheme, promising secure funds and high returns.
“The suspect allegedly obtained billions of naira from unsuspecting investors under the guise of operating a capital-guaranteed forex trading and investment scheme,” the commission said.
Investigations revealed that neither Olutoke nor his company had the required legal permits to operate an investment business. Instead of trading the funds as promised, the EFCC claims the money was used to acquire expensive properties, including the Ikeja hotel.
During the hearing, Okezie argued that the hotel should be seized as it was reasonably suspected to have been purchased with proceeds from unlawful activities. After reviewing the evidence, Justice Owoeye agreed, ruling that the asset should be temporarily taken over while the case proceeds.
The judge also ordered the EFCC to publish the decision in a national newspaper, allowing anyone with a legal claim to the hotel to come forward and explain why the property should not ultimately be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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