By Asaye Bankole
The Osun State Government has filed an application before the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to overturn an interim order restricting access to its bank accounts over a $13.9 million arbitration award involving Gamji Nigeria Company Limited.
The court had directed commercial banks to place a “Post No Debit” restriction on accounts operated by the state government.
The order was issued by Justice D.E. Osiagor following an application by Gamji in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1233/2026.
Reacting to the development, the Osun State Government said it had commenced legal proceedings to protect its interests and challenge the validity of the arbitration award.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government described the order as having been obtained through what it called “deceit and substantial non-disclosure of material facts”.
The state government alleged that Gamji failed to inform the Federal High Court that the arbitration award was already being challenged before the Lagos State High Court.
According to the government, its legal team had filed a case on September 1, 2026, seeking to set aside the award and suspend its enforcement pending the determination of the case.
The government said the dispute originated from a 2017 contract entered into during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
It explained that disagreements later emerged over a variation request and an alleged financial obligation to Gamji.
According to the state, the arbitration process was allegedly conducted without giving the government a fair opportunity to fully participate, leading to an award that it now considers irregular and legally challengeable.
Osun further claimed that Gamji was already aware of the pending case before approaching the Federal High Court for enforcement of the award.
The state government has therefore filed a motion on notice seeking to set aside the September 9 order, while informing the Federal High Court of the ongoing proceedings at the Lagos State High Court.
The government added that because the matter remains sub judice, it would refrain from making further comments that could prejudice the proceedings.
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