US-Convicted Apetumodu Sues Adeleke, Asks Court to Preserve Throne
The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has instituted a legal action against Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to prevent the state government from appointing a replacement for him.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over fraud-related offences, is asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to restrain the governor and his officials from filling the vacant traditional stool pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In a motion on notice filed on September 16, 2026, as part of suit number HIF/50/2026, the monarch alleged that the governor and other relevant authorities did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing before initiating the process that led to his removal.
He is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and representatives from appointing another person as Apetumodu until the case is heard and determined.
Part of the motion stated that a May 11, 2026 report by *The Guardian* indicated that Oloyede had been deposed through an instrument purportedly signed by Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
The application further alleged that neither the governor nor the second and third defendants informed him of any alleged misconduct before the publication of his removal.
Other claimants in the suit are Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who filed the action on their own behalf and for other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
Apart from Adeleke, the defendants 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.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the case were stalled on Monday after it emerged that hearing notices had not been served on all the parties.
Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, Babalola, appeared before the court.
Ogbewe told the court that the claimants had served the defendants with the relevant court processes.
However, Oyetayo informed the court that he had not received a hearing notice and urged the judge to adjourn the matter to allow proper service on all the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Adeleke had approved Oloyede’s deposition following his conviction in the United States on charges bordering on tax fraud and money laundering.
