Osun asks court to lift restrictions linked to $13.9m arbitration award

The Osun State Government says it has applied to the Federal High Court in Lagos to set aside an order restricting accounts operated by the state over a $13.9m arbitration award in favour of Gamji Nigeria Company Limited. The interim order was issued by Justice D.E. Osiagor after Gamji filed an application in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1233/2026.

In a statement, Osun Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi said the government had begun the necessary legal action to protect its position and seek judicial review of the award. The state alleged that the order was obtained through “deceit and substantial non-disclosure of material facts”. It said the award referred to in the order did not exist in July 2024, as stated in the proceedings, and that the only relevant award was made in July 2026.

According to the government, the dispute began with a 2017 contract under the administration of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola. It said a variation request by Gamji had been rejected and that the matter subsequently went to arbitration. Osun alleged that the arbitration was mishandled and that the process denied the state a fair hearing.

It said its legal team filed a case before the Lagos State High Court on September 1 to set aside the award, together with an application seeking to suspend enforcement while the challenge was determined. The government said Gamji and its lawyers had been served with the proceedings before approaching the Federal High Court, but allegedly failed to disclose the pending challenge. It said a motion to set aside the September 9 order had been filed.

The state declined to comment on the merits while the dispute remains before the courts.