(DDM) – The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed allegations of bias in the legal battle over Osun State’s disputed local government funds, ruling that the transfer of the case from Osogbo to Abuja was both lawful and justified.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, described the claims of partiality as “speculative, baseless, and unsubstantiated.”
The application had been filed by lawyers representing parties opposed to the Osun State Government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking to restrain federal authorities from releasing withheld local government allocations to former All Progressives Congress (APC) council officials sacked in 2022.
The applicants had alleged that transferring the case to Abuja from the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court was an attempt to influence proceedings in favour of the state government.
However, Justice Nwite clarified that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court acted within his administrative jurisdiction under Order 49 Rule 2 and Section 21(1) of the Federal High Court Act, which empower him to transfer cases for reasons of convenience, security, or administrative efficiency.
He stressed that the judiciary must not be dragged into “political theatre” and warned legal practitioners against peddling unfounded claims that could undermine public confidence in the courts.
“The claim of bias is without evidence and appears designed to distract from the substance of the matter,” the judge stated.
He further explained that transfers of cases between divisions of the Federal High Court are routine and often necessary to ensure fair and timely hearings, particularly in politically sensitive disputes such as this.
The Osun case centres on the management and disbursement of local government funds following the dissolution of APC-led councils by Governor Adeleke upon assuming office.
The affected officials had approached the court, claiming that their removal was illegal and that the federal government should continue releasing statutory allocations to them until their tenure officially expires.
The Adeleke administration, however, maintains that the councils were improperly constituted and that their continuation in office would violate the constitution and the Supreme Court’s ruling on illegal local government appointments.
Political observers say the dispute highlights ongoing tensions between state autonomy and federal oversight in Nigeria’s local government system, a recurring source of legal battles across several states.
By striking out the bias claims, the Federal High Court has now cleared the path for the substantive hearing of the case, which has been adjourned to October 17 for continuation.
Justice Nwite assured both parties that the court would deliver justice without fear or favour, insisting that “only the rule of law will guide the outcome.”
The ruling is seen as a boost for judicial transparency, affirming that administrative case transfers within the Federal High Court system do not automatically suggest prejudice or interference.
Analysts believe that the case could set an important precedent for how Nigerian courts handle politically charged fiscal disputes involving state and local government autonomy.
As the October 17 hearing date approaches, stakeholders in Osun State are watching closely to see how the court’s next decision might affect the flow of local government funds and the state’s ongoing power tussle between the PDP-led administration and the sacked APC officials.