The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke to court, seeking to stop the state government from installing a replacement on the traditional stool.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, is asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to restrain Adeleke and other government officials from appointing another monarch until the determination of his suit challenging his removal.
The embattled traditional ruler, who is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, accused the governor of removing him without formally notifying him of any alleged wrongdoing or giving him an opportunity to respond.
In a motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede urged the court to stop the defendants, their agents and representatives from taking any action to fill the Apetumodu stool pending the determination of the substantive case.
He argued that he was never informed of any misconduct before the state government announced his removal.
The former monarch also relied on a May 11, 2026 report by The Guardian, which disclosed that Adeleke had signed an instrument of deposition on May 7, 2026.
He maintained that his removal was carried out without a lawful basis, insisting that the government failed to follow the necessary procedures.
Other claimants in the suit are Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are representing members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
The defendants, apart from Adeleke, include 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.
Monday’s proceedings, however, could not go ahead following complaints over the non-service of hearing notices on some parties.
Only the claimants’ lawyer, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, counsel to the fifth defendant, Babalola, appeared in court.
While Ogbewe told the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant processes, Oyetayo disputed the claim, saying he had not received the hearing notice.
He consequently asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable the claimants to serve all the defendants properly.
Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the parties.
Oloyede’s removal followed his conviction in the US over a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fund fraud scheme.
The former monarch pleaded guilty to offences connected with the fraudulent acquisition of funds meant to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 26, 2025, a US federal court sentenced him to 56 months in prison and ordered him to repay $4,408,543.38.
He was also ordered to forfeit his home in Medina, Ohio, and serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
Following his conviction, the Adeleke administration moved against his continued occupation of the traditional stool, with the governor signing the deposition order on May 7, 2026.
The government reportedly relied on the US court judgment in taking the decision, declaring the Apetumodu stool vacant.
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