The former Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, has approached the state High Court to challenge his removal from the throne and prevent Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration from appointing a replacement.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over a multimillion dollar COVID-19 relief funds fraud, filed the suit alongside three princes of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House, seeking to preserve the traditional stool until the court determines the dispute.
The application, filed on September 16, 2026, is part of suit number HIF/50/2026 before the Osun State High Court in Ile Ife.
In the motion, the former monarch asked the court to restrain Adeleke, government officials and other defendants from taking steps to fill the Apetumodu stool or install another person in his place while the substantive case remains pending.
His major argument is that the state government did not formally notify him of any alleged wrongdoing or give him an opportunity to respond before proceeding with his removal.
The claimants are also challenging a deposition order reportedly signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026, which was subsequently published in a national newspaper.
Oloyede is listed as the second claimant, while the other claimants are Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who joined the action on behalf of members of their royal family.
Those named as defendants include Governor Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, other traditional stakeholders and Ife North Local Government.
The legal action follows the controversy surrounding Oloyede’s conviction in the United States, where he was sentenced to 56 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme involving fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans and grants.
According to the United States Department of Justice, Oloyede and his co-conspirator submitted fraudulent applications through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan scheme, which were established to support businesses affected by the COVID -19 pandemic.
Investigators established that 38 fraudulent applications linked to the scheme resulted in the disbursement of approximately $4.21 million in loans and advances.
The monarch pleaded guilty in April 2025 to charges involving wire fraud conspiracy, transactions involving criminal proceeds and false tax returns.
On August 26, 2025, a US federal court sentenced him to 56 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution and forfeit assets linked to the fraud.
Following the conviction, the Osun State Government moved to remove him from the traditional position after receiving a certified copy of the American court judgment.
The dispute over the future of the Apetumodu stool subsequently moved into the courts, with Oloyede and members of his royal family seeking to stop the government from proceeding with the selection of another occupant.
At the latest court proceedings on Monday, November 2, 2026, the matter could not proceed as scheduled because of disagreements over whether the defendants had received the necessary hearing notices.
Counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the relevant processes had been served, while lawyer Soji Oyetayo, representing one of the defendants, said he had not received the hearing notice.
The defence lawyer requested an adjournment to allow proper service on all parties.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served.
Consequently, the court has yet to determine whether the former monarch’s removal was lawful or whether the government should be restrained from appointing a successor.
The outcome of the substantive case is expected to determine the next legal steps concerning the Apetumodu stool of Ipetumodu.
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