US-CONVICTED OSUN MONARCH SUES ADELEKE OVER REPLACEMENT PLAN

The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the state government from appointing a new monarch to replace him.

Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fund fraud, is challenging his removal from the traditional throne, arguing that the state government failed to notify him of the alleged wrongdoing before taking action.

In a suit marked HIF/50/2026 before the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, the former monarch is asking the court to restrain Adeleke and other government officials from filling the Apetumodu stool until the substantive case is determined.

The application, dated September 16, 2026, also seeks to prevent the defendants, their agents and representatives from appointing another person to occupy the traditional position.

Oloyede argued that his removal was carried out without due process, claiming that neither the governor nor the relevant state authorities formally informed him of the allegations before issuing the deposition order.

The suit also involves three princes of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu: Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro.

Other defendants include the Osun State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, traditional chiefs and Ife North Local Government.

Meanwhile, proceedings were stalled on Monday, November 2, following disagreements over the service of hearing notices on the defendants.

While the claimants' lawyer, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the relevant documents had been served, counsel to one of the defendants, Soji Oyetayo, said he had not received the hearing notice.

Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, directing that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on all parties.

Oloyede's removal followed his conviction in the United States in August 2025, when he was sentenced to 56 months in prison over a fraudulent scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds. The court also ordered him to pay restitution and forfeit assets connected to the offences.

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The Osun State Government had approved his deposition in May 2026 after obtaining a certified copy of the US court judgment and subsequently declared the traditional stool vacant.

The latest lawsuit now places the succession process under legal scrutiny, with the court expected to determine the issues surrounding Oloyede's removal and the government's authority to appoint a successor.

For now, the Apetumodu stool remains at the centre of a legal dispute, as the former monarch seeks judicial intervention to prevent the installation of another ruler.