US-convicted monarch asks court to stop Adeleke from naming successor

The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has sued Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the appointment of a replacement pending the determination of a court case challenging his removal.

Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of tax fraud and money laundering offences, is asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to restrain Adeleke and other government officials from taking steps to fill the stool.

In a motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, filed in suit number HIF/50/2026, the monarch alleged that the governor did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing before approving his deposition.

He also challenged the legality of the removal, arguing that he was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him before the decision was taken.

The motion partly read, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant who is the occupant of the Apetu’s stool, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.”

Oloyede further cited a May 11, 2026, publication by The Guardian, which reported that Adeleke had signed an instrument on May 7, 2026, deposing him from office.

Adeleke denies deal to share Osun legislative seats with APC

He maintained that neither the governor nor the other government officials had informed him of any alleged wrongdoing before the publication and the purported deposition instrument.

Other claimants in the suit are Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

The defendants include Adeleke, 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.

However, proceedings were stalled on Monday following a dispute over the service of hearing notices on the parties.

Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and counsel to the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, appeared before the court.

Ogbewe told the court that he had served the defendants with the relevant court processes, but Oyetayo said he had not received a hearing notice.

Oyetayo subsequently asked the court to adjourn the matter to allow the claimants to serve all the defendants.

In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

Adeleke had approved Oloyede’s deposition following his conviction in the United States over tax fraud and money laundering charges.