By Rafiu Agboola, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has returned to court to challenge an ex-parte order issued by the Federal High Court in Lagos on September 9, 2026, in its dispute with Gamji Nigeria Company Limited, alleging that the order was obtained through the non-disclosure of material facts.
The government disclosed that it had filed an application on October 2, 2026, asking the court to set aside the order, which it said was secured without disclosure of relevant information about the ongoing legal battle over an arbitration award involving the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, October 4, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the order and the arbitration award required judicial scrutiny.
According to the government, the award Gamji sought to enforce was already being challenged before the Lagos State High Court before the company approached the Federal High Court for an enforcement order.
The state alleged that Gamji failed to disclose the pending suit and an application seeking to suspend the execution of the award, despite having been served with the relevant court processes.
“The Osun State Government has filed an application to set aside the ex-parte order made on September 9, 2026, for not only being procured by deceit and concealment of material facts by Gamji Nigeria Company Limited, but also for several other reasons,” the statement said.
The government also questioned the validity of the arbitration process, alleging that it was characterised by irregularities that deprived the state of a fair hearing and adequate participation.
It further disputed the reference to an arbitral award allegedly made against it in July 2024, maintaining that the award in question was issued in July 2026 and was already being contested before the Lagos State High Court.
Tracing the origin of the dispute, the government said the disagreement began in 2017 during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, following a dispute over a contract variation request by Gamji.
The disagreement reportedly centred on whether the state government owed the company $15,982,638.22, an amount the government said remained a subject of contention.
Alimi stated that the state’s legal team had approached the Lagos State High Court on September 1, 2026, seeking to set aside the arbitration award. The lawyers also filed a separate application to suspend its execution pending the determination of the suit.
The government alleged that Gamji proceeded to the Federal High Court despite being aware of the pending litigation, adding that the company did not disclose the development when seeking to enforce the award.
“The irregularities that characterised the arbitration proceedings and the Final Arbitral Award are matters which have been submitted by the State Government to the High Court sitting in Lagos State,” the statement added.
The government said its application to vacate the September 9 order had been presented before the Federal High Court, assuring residents that it would continue to pursue the matter through lawful judicial processes.
It, however, declined to make further comments on the merits of the dispute, noting that the matter remained before the courts and assuring the public that it would take necessary steps to protect the state’s interests.
Ends
