Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the deposition of Oba Joseph Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area following his conviction in the United States for tax fraud and money laundering.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the decision was taken after the state government received a Certified True Copy of the Ohio court judgment that found the monarch guilty.
The statement explained that the Osun State Executive Council had earlier directed the Ministry of Local Government to formally obtain the court judgment directly from the United States, stressing that government actions must not rely on unverified social media reports.
Governor Adeleke, in the Deposition Order signed on May 7, 2026, said the move was necessary to preserve peace, order, and good governance, as well as protect the integrity of the traditional institution.
“The fraudulent conduct of Oba Joseph Oloyede, as established by the U.S. court—to which he pleaded guilty—and his public conviction have brought the institution of Obaship and the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu to disrepute,” the statement read.
Oba Oloyede was sentenced in August 2025 by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to 56 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, filing false tax returns, and money laundering-related offences.
With the deposition, the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant. The state government said steps will be taken in due course to begin the process of selecting a new traditional ruler.
The governor appealed to residents of Ipetumodu to remain calm and maintain peace as succession arrangements commence.
