The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has vowed to resist any attempt to divert funds meant for the local government councils in the state.
The union said it would not allow anyone to use legal shortcuts to rob the people of their rightful resources.
The union raised the alarm over a move by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to push for an urgent hearing of a case on the matter before a vacation judge in Abuja. According to NULGE, the funds belong to the councils and by extension, the ordinary people of Osun State, and must not be tampered with.
It would be recalled that the Osun State Attorney-General had earlier approached the Federal High Court to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant-General of the Federation, and others from diverting the money to sacked APC chairmen and councillors. Their removal from office had already been affirmed by competent courts.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the Osun NULGE President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, expressed shock at the sudden rush by the AGF to have the case heard in Abuja. He explained that while the AGF ignored the court processes served on him since May 2025, he suddenly sought an urgent hearing in August, claiming “urgency.”
According to Ogungbangbe, this rush is nothing but a self-created urgency aimed at undermining justice. He said hearing the case at the originally scheduled time would not deprive the councils of their funds, but fast-tracking it during court vacation raises suspicion of foul play.
The union, therefore, called on the judiciary to remain firm and resist any pressure to grant a vacation hearing. It also warned that any attempt to rob local government workers and the people of Osun State of their funds through legal manoeuvres would be resisted by all lawful means.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun, Christopher Arapasopo, appealed to both parties to avoid self-help and allow the rule of law to prevail. He said this would enable workers to return to their duties as the prolonged legal battle has already left council staff stranded for months.
