Dethroned Osun Monarch Sues Adeleke Over Replacement Plan

The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has approached the Osun State High Court to challenge the state government’s plan to appoint a new monarch, following his conviction in the United States for fraud-related offences.

Oloyede, who was convicted in the US over tax fraud and money laundering, is asking the court to stop Governor Ademola Adeleke and other government officials from filling the Apetumodu stool pending the determination of the suit.

The former monarch is listed as the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, filed before the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife. Other claimants include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who brought the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

In a motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the governor, government officials and their representatives from taking steps to appoint another person to occupy the traditional stool.

The former monarch argued that the state government did not formally inform him of any alleged misconduct or wrongdoing before taking steps that led to his removal.

He also challenged the legality of the deposition, insisting that the decision was taken without proper notification or a lawful basis.

The application followed the Osun State Government’s announcement in May 2026 that Oloyede had been removed as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu. Governor Adeleke signed the deposition instrument on May 7, 2026, declaring the traditional stool vacant.

The state government’s decision came after it obtained a Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by a United States court, which convicted the monarch of fraud-related offences.

Oloyede was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to 56 months in prison. The offences included wire fraud, making false tax returns and engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.

The US case arose from the exploitation of COVID-19 relief loan programmes under the CARES Act between April 2020 and February 2022. The court also ordered him to forfeit assets and pay restitution of about $4.4m.

In explaining the decision to depose the monarch, the Osun State Government said the conviction and the conduct established by the US court had brought the traditional institution and the Apetumodu stool into disrepute.

The government maintained that its action was necessary to preserve the honour and integrity of the traditional institution and ensure peace and good governance in Ipetumodu.

Following the deposition, the state government declared the stool vacant and indicated that the process of selecting a new monarch would begin at the appropriate time.

However, Oloyede’s latest court action seeks to prevent that process from proceeding while his substantive case remains before the court.

The defendants in the suit 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.

Proceedings were stalled on Monday after an issue arose over the service of hearing notices on the parties.

Only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, Chief Adesoye Babalola, appeared before the court.

Ogbewe informed the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant processes. However, Oyetayo told the court that he had not received the hearing notice and requested an adjournment to allow all parties to be properly notified.

Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

The court is expected to consider the application seeking to restrain the state government from appointing a replacement monarch while the substantive suit remains pending.