By Tunde Olamilekan
The two Ruling Houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, – Aribile and Fagbemokun, have urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to approve the deposition of Oba Joseph Oloyede as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
The ruling houses in the letter addressed to the Governor said the stool of Apetumodu should be declared vacant.
The ruling houses in the letter dated October 13, 2025, urged the governor to direct the Ministry of Justice to lodge and domesticate the certified U.S. judgment with the appropriate Nigerian registry to complete the administrative record in support of deposition.
They noted that the Apetumodu stool has remained under suspension for over three years due to the prolonged absence of the Oba Oloyede, saying age-long customs and traditions of the town have been suffering as a result of the situation.
The letter read, “Now, following his conviction and sentencing to 56 months (4 and 5 years) imprisonment, along with an additional three years(3years) of supervised release in the United States of America (USA), the need for urgent government intervention has become even more compelling.
“On 26-27 August 2025, a United States Federal Court (Northern District of Ohio) sentenced Oba Joseph Oloyede to a custodial term of 56 months (over four years) following his guilty plea to serious offences arising from a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.
“Official releases from U.S. authorities and multiple credible Nigerian media outlets confirm the conviction and sentence beyond dispute. The Osun State Government has publicly acknowledged the development and indicated its intention to obtain a certified copy of the U.S. judgment. These facts have brought the institution of the Apetumodu into disrepute both at home and abroad.”
The royal houses prayed the governor to approve the deposition of Oba Joseph Oloyede as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu pursuant to the Chiefs Law of Osun State and native law and custom, on the grounds of a criminal conviction for offences of moral turpitude that have gravely tarnished the office.
“We also want you to declare the Apetumodu Stool vacant with immediate effect, and formally notify the Ife North Local Government and the Ipetumodu Chiefs in accordance with the government.”
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