The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has approached the state High Court to challenge Governor Ademola Adeleke’s move to appoint a replacement for the vacant traditional stool.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over fraud-related offences, is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the governor and other state officials from installing another monarch pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging his removal.
In a motion on notice filed on September 16, 2026, before the Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, the monarch argued that he was not formally notified of any alleged misconduct before the decision to depose him was announced.
He also questioned the legality of the process leading to his removal, insisting that he was not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.
The motion partly read, “There was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the issuance of the publication contained in the said Guardian Newspaper and the purported instrument or order of deposition.”
Oloyede further urged the court to restrain the defendants from taking steps to fill the Apetumodu stool or appointing another person in his place until the substantive case is concluded.
The suit, marked HIF/50/2026, also has Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro as claimants. They are suing on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House in Ipetumodu.
The defendants include Governor 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 kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
However, proceedings were stalled on Monday after a disagreement over the service of hearing notices on the defendants.
While counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, informed the court that the relevant court processes had been served, counsel to the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, told the court that his client had not received the hearing notice.
Oyetayo consequently requested an adjournment to enable 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.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that Governor Adeleke approved Oloyede’s removal from the traditional stool following his conviction in the United States on charges bordering on tax fraud and money laundering.
