The Osun State chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has warned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) against paying local government allocations to impostors who are not local government staff.
According to NULGE, there is a grand plan by the CBN to pay Osun State local government allocations into personal accounts of individuals who are not authorised to receive such funds.
Addressing newsmen at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Wednesday, Kehinde Ogungbangbe, President of Osun NULGE, said the warning was as a result of a letter purportedly from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which requested the opening of accounts for the 30 local governments in Osun State.
According to Ogungbangbe, the letter dated June 10, 2025, and signed by one Okolie Rita O., Director of the Federation Account Department, indicated that CBN had requested that the Local Governments should apply for opening and maintenance of the Account at the CBN Osogbo Branch, through any two persons out of the following Officers: Chairman, Treasurer or Director, Finance and Administration or Director of Personnel Management”.
He emphasised that the authorised signatories to local government accounts are career officers, specifically the Directors of Finance and Supplies and the Directors of Administration and General Services, noting that the Head of Local Government Administration and Council Chairmen are only required to counter-sign for confirmation, as stipulated by law.
Ogungbangbe warned that paying local government funds to impostors would be a serious breach of the law and could lead to financial malpractice.
He said, “We urge them to adhere to this provision to prevent any further complications and avoid financial malpractice.”
The NULGE president appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political impasse and facilitate a peaceful resolution.
He said, “NULGE remains committed to upholding the Law and frowning upon any illegality that may be introduced into our Service. We will continue to prioritize the welfare and safety of our members while advocating for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. We are pained by this impasse and our members are anxiously waiting to resume back to duty as soon as a permanent solution is found to the crisis.”
