US-convicted monarch challenges removal, sues Adeleke
The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has sued Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the state government from appointing a replacement for him.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of offences bordering on fraud, is challenging the process leading to his removal from the traditional stool.
In suit number HIF/50/2026 before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, the monarch, listed as the second claimant, alleged that Adeleke and other government officials did not formally notify him of any alleged misconduct before initiating the process to depose him.
*Governor Ademola Adeleke, dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede
Abimbola Joseph
The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has sued Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the state government from appointing a replacement for him.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of offences bordering on fraud, is challenging the process leading to his removal from the traditional stool.
In suit number HIF/50/2026 before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, the monarch, listed as the second claimant, alleged that Adeleke and other government officials did not formally notify him of any alleged misconduct before initiating the process to depose him.
He is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the governor and other defendants from appointing another person as Apetumodu pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Other claimants include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who are representing 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 Area.
In his motion on notice, dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede argued that he was removed without being allowed to respond to the allegations against him.
The application referred to a May 11, 2026, report by The Guardian, which stated that Adeleke had signed an instrument of deposition on May 7, 2026.
The monarch maintained that neither the governor nor the other relevant government officials had formally informed him of any wrongdoing before the announcement of his removal.
He therefore asked the court to restrain the defendants, either directly or through their agents, from taking steps to fill the vacant stool until the case had been heard and determined.
Monday’s proceedings were stalled because 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, Chief Adesoye Babalola, appeared in 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 requested an adjournment to enable the claimants to serve all the parties.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants. Oloyede’s removal followed his conviction in the United States on charges relating to tax fraud and money laundering.
