Dethroned Apetumodu Approaches Court To Challenge Removal From Throne
The dispute over the Apetumodu stool in Ipetumodu, Osun State, has continued as the dethroned monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has approached the court to challenge his removal.
Oloyede was deposed after his conviction in the United States for offences relating to tax fraud and money laundering. He is now asking the court to restrain Governor Ademola Adeleke and other officials from appointing another person to occupy the traditional stool.
The former monarch filed a motion on notice before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife. He is seeking an order to stop the state government from taking further steps to fill the position until the substantive suit is determined.
In the application dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede alleged that he was not formally informed of any wrongdoing by the governor or relevant government officials before the decision to remove him was made public. He also challenged the legality of the purported instrument of deposition said to have been signed by Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
The suit, marked HIF/50/2026, also lists Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro as claimants. They are representing themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
Apart from Governor Adeleke, the defendants in the case include the Osun State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, traditional authorities in Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
However, proceedings could not go on on Monday because hearing notices had not been served on all the parties involved in the case. Only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, were present in court.
Ogbewe told the court that relevant processes had been served on the defendants. Oyetayo said he had not received a hearing notice and asked for an adjournment to allow the claimants to serve the necessary notices on all the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
It can be recalled that earlier reported that Adeleke approved Oloyede’s removal as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu following his conviction in the United States over tax fraud and money laundering charges.