By Adekusibe Ademola
7th September 2025
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Osun State has accused the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) of attempting to “pre-empt the Supreme Court” by preparing to divert withheld local government funds to accounts belonging to court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors.
In a statement on Saturday, NULGE President Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe described the alleged plan as a “gross misappropriation” and a blatant attempt to undermine the rule of law.
According to the union, the crisis began in February when the Federal Government seized local government funds, and the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. Dr. Ogungbangbe said credible information indicates that OAGF officials were allegedly instructed to prepare payments covering over eight months into accounts that do not belong to the legitimate local government authorities.
“We gathered that the Director, Federation Account, and the Director of Funds in OAGF, under the direction of the Accountant-General, worked late into Friday and Saturday to process papers and figures for this illegal diversion. These desperate moves are a clear attempt to preempt the Supreme Court’s decision,” the statement said.
NULGE warned the Accountant-General, his officials, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) against obeying any unlawful directives. The union emphasized that by law, only Directors of Administration and Finance, authenticated by the Auditor-General for Local Governments, are authorized to access local government accounts.
“We are not politicians, but it is our duty to protect our members and their positions from impostors. Any diversion of local government funds into unauthorized accounts will constitute gross misappropriation,” Dr. Ogungbangbe said.
The union further criticized the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Accountant-General, and the CBN for allegedly singling out Osun State while local governments in the other 35 states continue to receive allocations through legally sanctioned accounts. NULGE suggested that political interests appear to be overriding the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court case should be allowed to run its course without any attempts to force a fait accompli on the system. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” the union stated.
NULGE called on Nigerians, the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups, and the international community to intervene and ensure that local government funds are protected until the court delivers its verdict.
