The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has taken Governor Ademola Adeleke to court over the plan to fill the stool he previously occupied. Oba Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States for offences bordering on fraud, is asking the court to restrain the governor from appointing a replacement.
Monarch Challenges Removal Process
Oba Oloyede is the second claimant in suit no. HIF/50/2026, filed before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife. In his motion on notice, he alleged that Governor Adeleke did not formally inform him of any infraction before commencing the process to replace him. He is seeking an order of the court stopping the governor or any of his officials from filling the stool of Apetumodu until the substantive suit is determined.
The other claimants in the matter are Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are suing for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
Defendants Named in the Suit
Aside from Governor Adeleke, the defendants include 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 the Ife North Local Government.
In the motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, the claimant sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and respondents, whether by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies, from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appointing any person in place of the second claimant, who is the occupant of the stool, pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.
The motion also referenced a report in The Guardian Newspaper of May 11, 2026 (online edition), which alleged that the second claimant had been deposed from office as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu by an order or instrument purportedly signed by the first defendant on May 7, 2026, without any lawful basis. The claimant maintained that he was never informed by the first to third defendants of any wrongdoing before the publication and the purported instrument or order of deposition.
Hearing Stalled Over Non-Service
The hearing in the matter was stalled on Monday following the non-service of hearing notices on the parties in the case. During the day’s proceedings, only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and counsel for the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, entered appearances.
Addressing the court, Ogbewe said he had served the defendants with the processes regarding the case. However, Oyetayo, counsel for the fifth respondent, Adesoye Babalola, said hearing notice had not been served on him by the claimants. He subsequently urged the court to adjourn the matter so that the claimants could serve all the defendants with hearing notices.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Background to the Deposition
Governor Adeleke approved the deposition of Oba Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu following his conviction in the United States on tax fraud and money laundering charges. The legal action now tests whether the process leading to that deposition and the planned replacement of the monarch followed due procedure, with the court set to examine the claims when proceedings resume.
