The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over fraud-related offences, has instituted legal proceedings against Governor Ademola Adeleke over plans to fill the vacant traditional stool.
Oloyede, listed as the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, is asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to restrain the governor and other government officials from appointing another person as Apetumodu pending the determination of the substantive case.
In a motion on notice, the monarch alleged that Governor Adeleke did not formally notify him of any alleged wrongdoing before initiating the process that led to his removal.
Other claimants in the suit include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro. They are representing themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House in Ipetumodu.
The defendants include Governor Adeleke, 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, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
In the application dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede asked the court to issue an interlocutory injunction preventing the defendants, their representatives or agents from taking steps to appoint another person to occupy the Apetumodu stool until the case is fully determined.
The application also referred to a report published by The Guardian on May 11, 2026, which stated that the monarch had been removed from office through an instrument allegedly signed by the governor on May 7, 2026.
Oloyede maintained that neither the governor nor the relevant state government officials had informed him of any wrongdoing before the announcement of his removal.
However, proceedings in the case were stalled on Monday following complaints that hearing notices had not been properly served on all parties.
Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, Chief Adesoye Babalola, appeared before the court.
While Ogbewe informed the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant court processes, Oyetayo disputed the claim, stating that he had not received the hearing notice.
He subsequently requested an adjournment to allow the claimants to serve the necessary notices on all defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Source: Punch
