An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on Friday granted leave to United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Suit No. HOS/M4/2026 to seek an order quashing ongoing criminal proceedings against the bank at a Magistrate Court in the state capital.
The leave was granted in a motion ex parte by Justice M.O. Agboola of the High Court.
According to a statement made available to journalists, despite being a party to the suit and having knowledge of the leave granted earlier the same day, the Chief Magistrate, A. Adeyeba, allegedly proceeded to issue a bench warrant against some officials of UBA.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Samuel Abiodun, commended the High Court’s decision, describing it as a reaffirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law.
Abiodun urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the matter is being lawfully contested before the courts.
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo had issued arrest warrants against United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and four of its senior officials over an alleged illegal operation and maintenance of bank accounts in the name of the 30 local government areas in the state.
The case, marked charge number MOS/601c/2025 and filed by the Osun State Government, was heard on Friday at the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Osun State, Osogbo Magisterial District.
In a certified true copy of the order titled, “Warrant for Arrest of Defendant Who Has Disobeyed Summons (General Title – Form No. 1),” addressed to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the court stated in part:
“Complaint has been made that the defendant(s) did allow unauthorised persons to operate and maintain 30 accounts opened in favour of the 30 local government councils in Osun State with UBA Plc.
“And the defendant(s) were thereupon summoned to appear before the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Osogbo. An oath has been made that the defendant(s) were duly served with the summons but did not appear, and that such complaint is true.
“You are hereby commanded to bring the defendant(s) before the Magistrate’s Court forthwith to answer to the said complaint or be further dealt with according to law.”
The matter has been adjourned to February 10, 2026, for trial.
The defendants in the suit are United Bank for Africa Plc; its Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba; the Company Secretary and Group Legal Adviser, Mr Billy Odum; and the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Chukwuma Nweke.
According to the charge sheet, the Osun State Government filed a 31-count charge against the bank and its officials, with each count relating to alleged infractions connected to the opening and operation of bank accounts for the state’s 30 local government councils.
In count one, the prosecution alleged that the defendants, on or about December 9, 2025, and on subsequent days, at UBA’s Osun State branch located in the Olonkoro area of Osogbo, conspired to commit felony by opening, operating and maintaining what it described as illegal Osun State Local Government Council accounts.
The alleged offence, according to the charge, occurred within the Osogbo magisterial district and is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2 Laws of Osun State, 2002.
