A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo has issued arrest warrants against United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and four of its senior officials over allegations bordering on the illegal operation and maintenance of bank accounts in the names of the 30 local government councils in Osun State.
The case, filed as Suit No. MOS/601c/2025, was instituted by the Osun State Government and came up for hearing on Friday at the Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo.
In a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the order titled “Warrant for Arrest of Defendant Who Has Disobeyed Summons (General Title – Form No. 1)”, the court directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police to immediately apprehend the defendants for failing to honour court summons.
According to the order, the court noted that a complaint had been made alleging that the defendants allowed unauthorised persons to operate and maintain 30 bank accounts opened in favour of Osun State’s local government councils at UBA.
The court stated that although the defendants were duly served, they failed to appear in court, prompting the issuance of arrest warrants compelling their appearance to answer the charges or face further legal consequences.
“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 order read in part.
UBA Executives Named
Those listed as defendants alongside the bank are:
- Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director/CEO
- Billy Odum, Company Secretary and Group Legal Adviser
- Chukwuma Nweke, Deputy Managing Director
- One other senior official whose name appeared in the charge sheet.
The defendants are facing a 31-count charge filed by the Osun State Government, which accuses them of complicity in the alleged unauthorised operation of council accounts.
Background
The Osun State Government had earlier raised concerns over the management of local government funds, alleging that certain accounts were being operated without proper authorisation. The matter was subsequently brought before the Magistrate’s Court, which issued summons to the bank and its executives.
However, the failure of the defendants to appear in court led to Friday’s ruling, which directed law enforcement authorities to enforce compliance.
Next Steps
Legal analysts say the arrest warrants mark a significant escalation in the dispute between the Osun State Government and UBA, with potential implications for corporate governance and accountability in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The case is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the court insisting that the defendants must be brought before it to answer the charges.
