An Oyo State High Court has dismissed an application by former All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen in Osun State, seeking access to frozen council funds held at the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The application, filed in Suit No. I/1149/2025, challenged an ex parte order granted on September 26, 2025, which froze the contentious accounts. The former chairmen argued that the freezing order hindered governance across council areas and would violate provisions of the 1999 Constitution if left in place.

During the court proceedings, neither the applicants nor the principal parties were present. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, represented the Osun State Attorney General, while Oluwatomiwa Fadeyi appeared for UBA. In his ruling, Justice Ladiran Akintola held that the application lacked merit, stating that the sacked chairmen had no legally recognizable interest in the frozen funds and therefore lacked the locus standi to seek the discharge of the ex parte order or the striking out of the suit.

The court noted that the applicants’ withdrawal of their earlier application for joinder amounted to an acknowledgment that they had no legal claim to the funds. As a result, the application was dismissed in its entirety. The APC has reacted to the ruling, stating that it has been misinterpreted by political opponents. The party claims that the judgment did not affirm the February 22, 2025, local government election and that the court merely held that the objectors were not parties before it.

The APC also referenced pending petitions before the National Judicial Council and the Chief Judge of Oyo State, challenging Justice Akintola’s handling of the matter. According to the party, the reinstated APC chairmen and councillors remain lawfully in charge of the councils and will continue to perform their duties as prescribed by the Constitution. The case is expected to continue on December 18, 2025, when the court reconvenes for mention. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for local governance in Osun State, and the court’s decision will be closely watched by stakeholders and the public.