The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has filed a suit before the Osun State High Court seeking an order to stop Governor Ademola Adeleke from appointing a new traditional ruler to the stool.
Oba Oloyede was deposed by the state government following his conviction in the United States on charges related to tax fraud and money laundering.
In motion on notice filed under suit number HIF/50/2026 at the High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, Oloyede—listed as the second claimant—alleged that Governor Adeleke failed to give him fair hearing or formally notify him of any infraction prior to initiating the deposition process.
Joining Oloyede as co-claimants in the suit are Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who filed on behalf of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House.
According to court filings dated September 16, 2026, the claimants are seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the state government and local kingmakers from selecting or installing any replacement pending the final determination of the substantive case.
The deposed monarch maintained in his affidavit that he only learned of his dethronement through media reports.
”There was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the issuance of the publication contained in the said Guardian Newspaper and the purported instrument or order of deposition,” the motion partly read.
The suit lists several key public officials and local leaders as defendants:
Governor Ademola Adeleke (1st Defendant)
Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
Chief Afolabi Adedeji (Asalu of Ipetumodu & Head of Kingmakers)
Chief Adesoye Babalola (Malefon of Ipetumodu)
Ife North Local Government
During court proceedings on Monday, hearing of the application was stalled due to improper service of court notices on all defense counsel. While the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and counsel for the 5th defendant, Soji Oyetayo, entered appearances, Oyetayo informed the court that his client had not been formally served with the hearing notice.
Presiding Judge, Justice Dapo Adeniji, subsequently adjourned the matter to January 21, 2027, ordering that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on all defendants.
