Adeleke Directs Action on Osun Jailed Monarch

Punchngs July 29, 2025

Adeleke Directs Action on Osun Jailed Monarch

Nigeria News
14.09.2025
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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has ordered swift action over the conviction of the

Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States. The governor directed the
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, to act on the crisis
surrounding the succession of the throne.The directive was confirmed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment,
Kolapo Alimi, in a statement released in Osogbo on Saturday. According to Alimi, the order
was issued during the State Executive Council meeting, where key policy matters were reviewed.

Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, was recently sentenced to more than
four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud in the United States. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio confirmed the sentence in a statement on
August 26, 2025.

According to the U.S. authorities, the monarch and a co-conspirator exploited COVID-19 relief loan programmes
under the CARES Act between April 2020 and February 2022. He was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay
$4.4 million in restitution.

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While some factions argue the throne should remain vacant until Oba Oloyede returns, others are calling
for the installation of a new monarch.Governor Adeleke described the conviction as an ugly development and instructed the chieftaincy
commissioner to intervene immediately.

Commissioner Babatunde earlier noted that the state government was awaiting a
Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before taking final steps.
However, Adeleke’s latest directive signals the beginning of official state intervention.

Tensions heightened earlier in the week during a meeting of princes in Ipetumodu. The meeting,
presided over by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, ended in chaos after a proposal
was made for Governor Adeleke to declare the stool vacant.Chief Adedeji rejected the request and announced that he would the vacancy. He also recused himself as a kingmaker, a move that led to a shouting match and abrupt end to the gathering.

Adeleke Directs Action on Osun Jailed Monarch

Speaking after the disrupted meeting, Prince Olaboye Ayoola from the Aribile Ruling House
expressed disappointment.

“During the meeting, we agreed that two new kingmakers should be elected to replace the deceased ones
and that a letter should be written to the governor declaring the seat vacant.
But Chief Adedeji refused and declared he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker.
That led to chaos, and the meeting ended without resolution.”

The jailed monarch’s case has left the future of the Apetumodu throne uncertain.
Adeleke’s directive may pave the way for government-led intervention to resolve the
royal succession crisis in Ipetumodu.
Whether the throne will remain vacant or a new king will be appointed remains a matter of
significant debate within the community.