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The Osun State Government has said it has filed an application before the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to set aside the ex parte order restricting transactions on accounts operated by the state government over a $13.9 million arbitration award in favour of Gamji Nigeria Company Limited.

The government also assured the public that it had commenced necessary legal steps to vacate the order and protect the state’s interests through a judicial review of the arbitration award.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government described the order as having been obtained through what it called non-disclosure of material facts to the court.

According to the statement, the arbitration award Gamji sought to enforce was also allegedly affected by several irregularities, prompting the state government’s legal team to approach the Lagos State High Court to challenge the award.

The government said the ex parte order of September 9, 2026 referenced an alleged arbitral award, but maintained that no such award was made against the state government in July 2024.

It clarified that the only arbitral award against the state government was issued in July 2026 and that the award was already being challenged by the government before the Lagos State High Court.

The government traced the dispute to a 2017 contract awarded during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. It said the administration rejected a variation request by Gamji, particularly over the company’s claim that the state was indebted to it in the sum of $15,982,638.22.

The matter subsequently proceeded to arbitration, which the state government alleged was improperly handled in favour of Gamji, while the state was denied a fair hearing and full participation in the process.

The government said its legal team had already filed a suit at the Lagos State High Court on September 1, 2026, seeking to set aside the arbitral award before Gamji approached the Federal High Court.

It added that a motion on notice seeking to suspend enforcement of the award pending the determination of the suit was also filed and served on Gamji and its counsel.

According to the state government, Gamji was therefore aware that the award was being challenged before a competent court when it approached the Federal High Court to seek enforcement.

The government further alleged that Gamji failed to disclose to the Federal High Court that the validity of the award was already being challenged before the Lagos State High Court and that the company had been served with an application seeking to suspend enforcement pending the determination of the case.

The state government disclosed that it had also filed a motion on notice seeking to set aside the September 9 order and informed the Federal High Court of the circumstances surrounding the arbitration proceedings and the pending challenge.

It, however, said it would refrain from making further comments on the merits of the case because the matter remains sub judice.

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Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its newly inaugurated substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carter Dike Umeoduagu, barely 48 hours after assuming office.

Umeoduagu was formally sworn in as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university on Thursday, October 1, 2026, marking the commencement of his tenure.

However, the professor reportedly took ill on Saturday, October 3, two days after his assumption of office, and subsequently died.

His sudden death has sent shock waves through the university community, particularly coming at a time when the institution has been facing leadership challenges.

The development is also coming amid recent controversy over the leadership of the university, including disputes surrounding the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eugene Okoye Nwadialor, and the emergence of an acting leadership structure.

The death of Umeoduagu, coming almost immediately after his formal assumption of office, has added a tragic dimension to the university’s recent leadership crisis.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his illness and death were not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.

The university community, academics, colleagues, family members and associates are expected to mourn the deceased academic and administrator, whose tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended almost as soon as it began.

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… Urges Rivers to re-elect Tinubu in 2027

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for the $308 million proceeds from the sale of the state-owned power plants during his administration.

Wike spoke on Sunday at a town hall meeting with leaders, elders and stakeholders of the Ogbakor Etche, in Etche Local Government of Rivers State, where he launched a fresh attack on his predecessor’s record in office.

The minister accused Amaechi of failing to translate his eight years as governor, and later eight years as Minister of Transportation, into meaningful development and opportunities for the people of Rivers State.

He specifically questioned the circumstances surrounding the sale of the state’s power plants for $308 million.

Recall that the Justice Omereji Commission of Inquiry investigated the sale and reportedly indicted the former governor. Amaechi had challenged the commission’s report in court, but the case was subsequently dismissed by the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Wike said; “Amaechi sold the gas turbine power stations for $308 million. Where is the money? What did Rivers people get from it?

“So, where is the money? Rivers people are asking: what happened to the $308 million?”

The minister also challenged Amaechi to point to his achievements for the people during his eight years as governor between 2007 and 2015.

“When you had the opportunity to be governor of Rivers State, what did you bring to our people?” Wike asked.

“From Igwuruta to Chokochoko, it was a problem. From Chokochoko to Omoku, it was a problem.

“You became Minister of Transportation for eight years. Which person from our area did you bring to the limelight? Mention just one!”

Wike urged the people of Etche to reject politicians whose primary concern, he said, was political survival rather than development of their communities.

He said political support should be based on tangible achievements and opportunities delivered to the people.

The minister cited what he described as concrete gains secured for the area, including the appointment of Professor Dimiri Mercury as Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University and the establishment of the university’s Faculty of Agriculture campus in the area.

He also mentioned political appointments involving Senator Allwell Onyesoh and House of Representatives member Kelechi Wogu as part of the benefits of political engagement and alliances.

Wike said; “Politics is not about what one person will gain. Politics is about what your people will gain.

“Ask yourself; what has this person brought to our people? What has he done to improve the lives of our people? What opportunities have been created?

“We must begin to ask these questions because politics without development is meaningless.”

Wike also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the Federal Government’s emphasis on due process, accountability and development offered a new direction for governance.

He urged the people to align with what he described as the President’s development-oriented agenda, rather than support politicians based solely on personal loyalty.

According to him, Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated commitment to the rule of law and transparency in the management of public resources.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are witnessing a system that respects the rule of law and demands absolute transparency from public office holders,” Wike said.

“Governance is about lifting the people, not about personal aggrandisement or evading lawful inquiries into state properties.

“When people loot or mismanage the commonwealth, the law must take its course”, he added.

The minister said the President’s focus on infrastructure and inclusive governance should encourage citizens to support leaders capable of delivering practical dividends of democracy.

Wike told the gathering that the people of the region must “wise up” politically and make decisions based on what would advance their communities.

He said political allegiance should no longer be built around individuals but around programmes, development and opportunities for the people.

The meeting provided a platform for Wike to canvass support for what he described as a new political direction centred on development and alignment with the Tinubu administration.

He maintained that the people should judge politicians by their records in office, insisting that public office must be used to improve the welfare of the people rather than for personal political survival.

Wike and other political stakeholders had earlier paid a condolence visit to the palace of late elder statesman and member of the Rivers State council of traditional, ruler and the Etche/Ochie of Etche land, Emmanuel Opurum, who died at the age of 106.

The minister pledged to support the family in the burial arrangements.