The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has sued Governor Ademola Adeleke over the state government’s plan to fill the vacant traditional stool.

Oba Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of offences bordering on fraud, is seeking an order of the Osun State High Court restraining the governor and other officials from appointing a replacement pending the determination of the substantive suit.

In a motion on notice filed before the High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, Oba Oloyede alleged that Governor Adeleke did not formally inform him of any wrongdoing before proceeding with his deposition.

He is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, alongside Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are suing on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

The monarch is asking the court to restrain the defendants from taking any step to fill the Apetumodu stool or appoint anyone in his place until the substantive case is finally determined.

He also challenged the validity of the deposition order signed by Governor Adeleke on 7 May 2026.

Hearing stalled over notices

The hearing of the case was stalled on Monday after it emerged that hearing notices had not been served on all the parties.

Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and counsel to the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, were present in court.

Mr Ogbewe told the court that the defendants had been served with the processes relating to the case.

However, Mr Oyetayo, who represents the head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, said he had not received the hearing notice.

He therefore urged the court to adjourn the matter to allow the claimants to serve all the defendants.

Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the case to 21 January 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

Why Adeleke deposed monarch

Governor Adeleke approved Oba Oloyede’s deposition after the Osun State Government obtained a Certified True Copy of the United States court judgment convicting him.

The monarch was sentenced by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on 26 August 2025, to 56 months in prison for wire fraud, making false tax returns and engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.

The state government had said the deposition was necessary to preserve the honour and integrity of the traditional institution, adding that the stool had consequently been declared vacant.

Governor Adeleke had also appealed to the people of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful while the process of selecting a new Apetumodu was being initiated.