By Ade Oyeyemi
The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has approached an Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, seeking an order restraining Governor Ademola Adeleke from appointing a successor to the vacant traditional stool.
Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of offences bordering on fraud, is challenging the process leading to his removal, arguing that he was not formally notified of any alleged wrongdoing before the decision to depose him.
In a motion on notice filed in suit number HIF/50/2026 and dated September 16, 2026, the monarch asked the court to restrain Adeleke and other defendants from taking steps to fill the Apetumodu stool pending the determination of the substantive suit.
He also challenged an alleged deposition instrument reportedly signed by the governor on May 7, 2026, which was subsequently reported by The Guardian on May 11, 2026.
Oloyede maintained in the court filing that neither the governor nor the relevant state authorities informed him of any wrongdoing before the announcement of his removal.
Other claimants in the suit are Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro, who instituted the action on their behalf and that of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.
The defendants include Adeleke, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
Proceedings were stalled on Monday after a dispute emerged over the service of hearing notices. While the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant processes, counsel for the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, said he had not received the hearing notice.
Oyetayo consequently asked the court to adjourn the matter to allow proper service on all parties. Justice Dapo Adeniji granted the request, adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served.
