Osun Govt Deposes Apetu of Ipetumodu After US Fraud Conviction

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has removed the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, from office following his conviction and imprisonment in the United States for fraud.

The monarch was sentenced to 56 months imprisonment after being convicted of tax fraud by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on August 26, 2025. The conviction had triggered public protests in Ipetumodu, with residents calling for his deposition.

Announcing the decision on Monday, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the action was taken after the Osun State Government received the Certified True Copy of the court judgment from the US.

“The governor’s decision followed the receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Ohio court judgement which convicted the monarch,” the statement said.

The statement explained that the Osun State Executive Council had earlier instructed the Ministry of Local Government to obtain the official judgment directly from the Ohio court to ensure that any government action was based on verified legal documents rather than social media reports.

According to the government, the deposition order signed on May 7, 2026, was aimed at safeguarding public order and preserving the dignity of the traditional institution.

“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,” the statement added.

Following the removal, the Osun State Government declared the royal stool vacant and stated that the process for selecting a new Apetumodu would commence at the appropriate time.

Governor Adeleke further urged indigenes of Ipetumodu to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding during the process of appointing a new traditional ruler.

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