Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has officially deposed the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, following his conviction and imprisonment in the United States over multimillion-dollar tax fraud.
The monarch was convicted by a United States District Court in the Northern District of Ohio on August 26, 2025, and sentenced to 56 months in prison, triggering outrage and protests in Ipetumodu community where residents demanded his removal from the royal stool.
Announcing the development on Monday, the Osun State Government said the decision to depose the traditional ruler followed the receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Ohio court.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the government explained that the action was taken to preserve the integrity and honour of the traditional institution.
“The governor’s decision followed the receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Ohio court judgement which convicted the monarch,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Osun State Executive Council had earlier directed the Ministry of Local Government to formally obtain the court documents before any official action could be taken.
“The Osun State Executive Council had resolved last year that the Ministry of Local Government should write the Ohio court to request for the Certified True Copy of the judgement to form the basis for the government action.
“The Council had justified the decision to contact the Ohio court on the ground that governmental decision should not be based on social media reporting alone,” it added.
The state government disclosed that the deposition order was personally signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
“In the Deposition Order signed by His Excellency on 7th May, 2026, the action was predicated on the need to maintain peace, order and good government as well as preserve the honour and integrity of the royal stool,” the statement read.
The government further stated that the monarch’s conviction and guilty plea had brought public embarrassment to the traditional institution.
“The Deposition Order further stated that the fraudulent conduct of Oba Joseph Oloyede as found by the US court and which he pleaded guilty to and his public trial and conviction have brought the institution of Obaship and the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu to disrepute and public odium, hence the resort to deposition.”
Following the action, the Osun State Government declared the throne vacant and announced that the process for selecting a new monarch would begin in due course.
“By this deposition, the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant while necessary process will be put in place to appoint a new Apetumodu of Ipetumodu at the appropriate time.”
Governor Adeleke also appealed to residents of the community to remain peaceful throughout the transition process.
“The governor appeals to sons and daughters of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful and law abiding while the process of selecting a new king is being processed,” the statement added.
