- The government explained that it chose to rely on official court documents rather than media reports before reaching a decision
- the monarch’s conviction and guilty plea in the United States had brought embarrassment and public disrepute to the royal stool of Apetumodu
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has removed the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, from office following his conviction in the United States over tax fraud and money laundering offences.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the decision was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, who said the action followed the receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgement delivered by a court in Ohio, United States.
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Oba Oloyede, who holds both Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in the US in May 2024 over allegations linked to fraudulent COVID-19 relief funds. He was later sentenced to 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko.
According to the statement, the Osun State Executive Council had earlier directed the Ministry of Local Government to formally obtain the court judgement before taking any action against the monarch.
The government explained that it chose to rely on official court documents rather than media reports before reaching a decision
In the deposition order signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026, the state government said the removal was necessary to protect the integrity and dignity of the traditional institution and maintain peace and good governance in the community.
The order stated that the monarch’s conviction and guilty plea in the United States had brought embarrassment and public disrepute to the royal stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
The statement further noted that the former monarch was convicted for wire fraud, filing false tax returns, and engaging in financial transactions involving criminal proceeds.
Following the deposition, the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has now been declared vacant, while the process of selecting a new traditional ruler will begin in due course.
The state government also appealed to residents and indigenes of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the transition process.
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