Oloyede, who was removed from the throne following his conviction in the United States over fraud-related offences, is challenging the circumstances surrounding his deposition and has asked the court to stop the state government from proceeding with the selection and installation of his replacement.
The former monarch is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke, government officials and other defendants from taking any steps to fill the Apetumodu stool pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The case, with suit number HIF/50/2026, was brought before the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife.
In his application, Oloyede alleged that the Osun State Government did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing or give him an opportunity to respond before the decision to remove him from the traditional position.
He argued that the process leading to his deposition was unlawful and asked the court to intervene before another person was appointed to occupy the throne.
The legal action comes months after Governor Adeleke approved the monarch’s removal following the receipt of a Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by a United States court in connection with his conviction on charges involving wire fraud, false tax returns and financial transactions involving proceeds of crime.
The latest development has introduced another dimension to the controversy surrounding the traditional institution in Ipetumodu, as the former monarch seeks judicial intervention over the decision to declare the stool vacant.
Why Oba Joseph Oloyede Is Challenging His Removal
In the court application dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede maintained that the state government failed to formally inform him of any alleged misconduct before initiating the process that resulted in his removal.
He specifically challenged the deposition order reportedly signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
According to the former monarch, he was not given prior notice of any wrongdoing by the governor, the state Attorney-General or the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs before the announcement of his removal.
He also questioned the legal basis for declaring the traditional stool vacant without first allowing him to respond to the issues raised against him.
Oloyede consequently asked the court to restrain the defendants, either directly or through their representatives, agents and officials, from appointing another person as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
The application seeks to preserve the position until the court determines the substantive case challenging the circumstances surrounding his deposition.
The former monarch is not the only claimant in the legal action.
Other claimants include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are acting on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
Their involvement brings the traditional succession structure and the interests of members of the ruling family into the legal dispute.
Adeleke, Osun Attorney-General Listed as Defendants
Apart from Governor Adeleke, several government officials and traditional authorities have been listed as defendants in the suit.
They 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, and Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu.
Ife North Local Government is also listed among the defendants.
The inclusion of the traditional authorities and the local government reflects the wider implications of the dispute, particularly because the appointment of a new monarch involves established chieftaincy procedures and the participation of relevant traditional institutions.
The claimants are asking the court to prevent the defendants from taking further steps towards filling the stool while the legal questions surrounding the deposition remain unresolved.
However, the application has not yet been determined by the court.
Court Adjourns Hearing Until January 21, 2027
The legal proceedings suffered a setback on Monday, November 2, 2026, when the court could not proceed with the hearing of the application because of disagreements over the service of hearing notices on the defendants.
During the proceedings before Justice Dapo Adeniji, only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and counsel representing the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, appeared in court.
Ogbewe informed the court that the relevant processes had been served on the defendants.
However, Oyetayo disputed the claim, informing the court that he had not received the hearing notice required to proceed with the matter.
He subsequently requested an adjournment to enable the claimants to ensure that all the defendants were properly served.
After considering the submissions, Justice Adeniji adjourned the case until January 21, 2027.
The judge also directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants to ensure that all parties are properly notified before the next proceedings.
The adjournment means that the court has not ruled on Oloyede’s request to stop the appointment of a successor.
It also means that the Osun State Government’s position on filling the vacant traditional stool remains subject to the legal proceedings and any applicable court orders.
How Oba Oloyede Was Convicted in the United States
The controversy surrounding the Apetumodu stool followed Oba Joseph Oloyede’s conviction in the United States over offences connected with a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fund fraud.
The former monarch was prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, where he pleaded guilty to charges involving wire fraud, filing false tax returns and engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.
On August 26, 2025, the US court sentenced him to 56 months’ imprisonment.
The conviction attracted considerable attention in Nigeria because Oloyede was serving as a traditional ruler in Osun State at the time.
His involvement in the fraud case raised questions about the implications of his conviction for the integrity of the traditional institution he represented.
The United States proceedings established his criminal liability, while the subsequent decision to remove him from the traditional throne became a separate matter involving the Osun State Government and the applicable chieftaincy laws.
Adeleke Government Explains Decision to Depose the Monarch
Governor Adeleke approved Oloyede’s deposition after the Osun State Government received a Certified True Copy of the American court judgment.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in May 2026, the government explained that the decision followed an earlier resolution of the Osun State Executive Council.
According to the statement, the council had directed the Ministry of Local Government to write to the Ohio court to obtain an authenticated copy of the judgment before taking official action.
The government explained that it wanted its decision to be based on documented judicial findings rather than reports circulating on social media.
After receiving the court judgment, Adeleke signed a deposition order dated May 7, 2026.
The government maintained that the monarch’s conviction had brought the traditional institution and the Apetumodu stool into disrepute.
It also said the action was necessary to preserve public confidence, peace, order and good governance.
Following the deposition, the government declared the Apetumodu stool vacant and indicated that the necessary process would be initiated to appoint a new traditional ruler.
The governor also appealed to the people of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the process.
Legal Battle Raises Questions About Traditional Rulers’ Removal
The latest court action has brought renewed attention to the legal procedures governing the appointment and removal of traditional rulers in Osun State.
Traditional institutions occupy important positions in Nigerian communities, particularly in matters involving cultural preservation, community leadership, conflict resolution and local development.
However, the appointment and removal of traditional rulers are governed by applicable state laws, which generally provide procedures that must be followed by government authorities and recognised traditional institutions.
The dispute involving Oloyede raises questions about the extent to which a governor can exercise powers relating to the deposition of a monarch following a criminal conviction.
It also places the issue of fair hearing at the centre of the legal arguments, as the former monarch maintains that he was not formally notified of any alleged wrongdoing before his removal.
The Osun State Government, on the other hand, previously explained that its decision was based on the certified American court judgment and the need to protect the integrity of the traditional institution.
Ultimately, the court will have to consider the relevant legal arguments and determine the issues presented by the parties.
It is important to note that Oloyede’s latest application is a request for an interim injunction. The court has not granted the requested order or ruled that his deposition was unlawful.
What Happens Next in the Apetumodu Stool Dispute?
With the case adjourned until January 21, 2027, the parties are expected to ensure that the required hearing notices are properly served before the next court appearance.
The proceedings will determine whether the application for an interlocutory injunction can be heard and whether the court should restrain the state government from taking further steps to appoint a replacement.
The substantive case will also provide an opportunity for the claimants and defendants to present their respective legal positions regarding the deposition.
For the people of Ipetumodu, the dispute represents an important development in the future of their traditional institution.
The community is now facing uncertainty over the succession process as the former monarch challenges the government’s decision in court.
The legal battle also involves members of the Latimogun Royal Family, whose participation indicates that the dispute extends beyond Oloyede’s personal challenge to the deposition.
As the matter progresses, attention will remain on the Osun State Government, the kingmakers, members of the ruling family and the judiciary.
For now, Oba Joseph Oloyede is asking the court to prevent Governor Adeleke from filling the Apetumodu stool until the substantive suit is determined.
Whether the former monarch will succeed in stopping the appointment of a new ruler will depend on the court’s consideration of the application and the arguments presented by all parties.
