Demonstrators on Wednesday besieged the Osun State High Court in Osogbo, marching from the Government House over the prolonged controversy surrounding local government funds.
The protest came after a legal confrontation in which a Magistrate Court issued a bench warrant for the arrest of officials of a new-generation bank in a case instituted by the Osun State Government, accusing the bank of releasing funds to restore All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen.
However, the Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo and presided over by Justice Matthias Agboola in Suit No. HOS/M4/2026 had earlier granted an ex parte motion nullifying the criminal proceedings against the bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and its employees at the Magistrate Court.
Despite the High Court verdict, proceedings reportedly persisted at the Magistrate Court, a development resisted by the reinstated council officials.
The protesters, who gathered at the Lameco area of Osogbo, moved to the High Court displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Say no to disobedience to court order and judgment,” “Osun judiciary must not disobey rule of law,” “All must obey court order,” “Don’t cause anarchy,” and “Rule of law above other interests.”
Security personnel were stationed to ensure calm during the protest.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Hon. Maaroof Ogundipe, representing the reinstated council executives, warned that the continued hearing of criminal charges against UBA officials by the Magistrate Court presided over by A.A. Adeyeba, despite multiple rulings from higher courts, could trigger a crisis.
He added that the group may petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the matter, describing the situation as troubling.
“It is worrisome when the court is seen to be undermining the rule of law,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Olayanju Kolapo, said several court judgments, including a Supreme Court ruling delivered in December 2025, had addressed the matter.
He cautioned that what he described as a persistent disregard for judicial decisions within the Osun State judiciary could lead to breakdown of law and order if not urgently addressed.
