The deposed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke and five others before the Osun State High Court, Ile-Ife, over his removal as traditional ruler.
Oloyede, who was deposed on May 7, 2026, by the Adeleke-led administration following his conviction for fraud in the United States, is challenging his removal in Suit No. HIF/50/2026 filed at the Ile-Ife Judicial Division.
It would be recalled that the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio had on August 26, 2025, sentenced the monarch to 56 months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges bordering on wire fraud, filing false tax returns and engaging in monetary transactions involving $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fund fraud.
Following receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, Governor Adeleke signed a Deposition Order declaring the stool vacant, saying Oloyede’s conduct had brought the institution of Obaship to disrepute.
However, Oloyede and three other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of Aribile Ruling House – Prince (Prophet) Oyewusi David Adewuni, Prince Isaac Alasepe Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro – have filed an action seeking to nullify the deposition.
Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Oluwole Adedeji (Asalu of Ipetumodu), Chief Adesoye Babalola (Molefon of Ipetumodu) and Ife North Local Government.
In their Motion on Notice dated September 16, 2026, the claimants are seeking “an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant, pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.”
They contend that Oba Oloyede, who was installed on December 5, 2019, was never given fair hearing before the deposition and that his removal violated constitutional provisions.
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