Governor Ademola Adeleke
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has officially deposed the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, following the monarch’s conviction for tax fraud and money laundering in the United States.
The decision was finalized on Monday after the state government received a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Background of the Conviction
Oba Oloyede, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the U.S., was arrested in May 2024 during a visit to the United States. He was implicated in a scheme involving the fraudulent acquisition of COVID-19 relief funds.
On August 26, 2025, U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko sentenced Oloyede to 56 months in prison. The charges included:
Wire fraud
Filing false tax returns
Engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property
The Government’s Position
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke emphasized that the deposition was necessary to protect the sanctity of the traditional institution.
The Osun State Executive Council had previously resolved to delay any formal action until official judicial documents were obtained, citing that significant governmental decisions must be based on verified legal facts rather than social media reports.
"The action was predicated on the need to maintain peace, order, and good government, as well as preserve the honor and integrity of the royal stool," the Deposition Order, signed on May 7, 2026, stated.
The order further noted that the monarch’s guilty plea and subsequent conviction had brought the stool of the Apetumodu into disrepute and public odium.
Next Steps for Ipetumodu
With the issuance of the Deposition Order, the stool of the Apetu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant. The state government has confirmed that the Ministry of Local Government will soon commence the formal process of selecting and appointing a successor.
Governor Adeleke urged the residents of Ipetumodu to remain law-abiding and maintain the peace as the community transitions toward the selection of a new traditional ruler.