The deposed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke before the Osun State High Court, seeking to stop the appointment of a new monarch to occupy the traditional stool.
Oloyede, who was removed from office following his conviction in the United States for fraud-related offences, is challenging the legality of his deposition and asking the court to prevent the state government from appointing a replacement until the case is determined.
The former monarch is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, filed before the court sitting in Ile-Ife. Other claimants include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, representing members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
In an application dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede sought an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke and other defendants from taking any steps to fill the vacant stool or install another person as Apetumodu pending the final determination of the suit.
The former monarch alleged that the state government removed him without following due process, claiming that he was not formally informed of any alleged wrongdoing before the decision was announced.
He also questioned the legal basis for his removal, maintaining that the action was taken without adequate notice or an opportunity for him to respond to the allegations.
The defendants in the case include the governor, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, traditional authorities in Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
The case came up before Justice Dapo Adeniyi on Monday, but proceedings were stalled over issues concerning the service of hearing notices on the defendants.
While the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the relevant processes had been served, Soji Oyetayo, counsel representing one of the defendants, said he had not received the hearing notice and requested an adjournment.
In his ruling, Justice Adeniyi adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Oloyede’s deposition followed his conviction by a United States court in August 2025 on offences involving wire fraud, false tax returns and transactions involving criminally derived funds. He was sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment.
The Osun State Government had maintained that the decision to remove him was based on the conviction and the need to protect the integrity of the traditional institution.
The latest court action sets the stage for a legal battle over the former monarch’s removal and the process of selecting his successor.
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