By Ghazali Ibrahim
The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has sued Governor Ademola Adeleke, asking the court to stop the state government from appointing a successor to the vacant traditional stool.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over a $4.2m COVID-19 relief fund fraud, is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke and other government officials from taking steps to install another monarch pending the determination of his substantive suit.
The former monarch is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026 before the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife.
In a motion on notice filed on September 16, 2026, Oloyede alleged that the state government did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing before commencing the process that led to his removal.
He argued that his deposition was announced without due process and asked the court to restrain the defendants, their agents and representatives from filling the Apetumodu stool or appointing another person in his place.
Other claimants in the suit include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
The defendants include Governor Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and Ife North Local Government.
The case suffered a setback on Monday after the hearing was stalled over issues surrounding the service of hearing notices on the parties.
At the proceedings, only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, Chief Adesoye Babalola, appeared before the court.
While Ogbewe informed the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant court processes, Oyetayo said he had not received the hearing notice and requested an adjournment to allow proper service on all parties.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Oloyede’s removal followed his conviction by a United States court on August 26, 2025, for offences including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, engaging in monetary transactions involving criminal proceeds and filing false tax returns.
He was sentenced to 56 months in prison and ordered to pay $4.4m in restitution after pleading guilty to his role in a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $4.2m in COVID-19 relief funds meant to support struggling businesses.
Adeleke approved his deposition on May 7, 2026, after the state government obtained a certified true copy of the US court judgment.
The government subsequently declared the traditional stool vacant and announced plans to begin the process of appointing a new Apetumodu.
