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Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has officially deposed Oba Joseph Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu following the monarch’s conviction in the United States over fraud-related offences.
The Osun State Government said the action was taken after it received the Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by an Ohio court in the United States, where the traditional ruler was found guilty on charges bordering on tax fraud and money laundering.
In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the government explained that the decision was based on an earlier resolution of the State Executive Council.
According to the statement, the council had resolved “last year that the Ministry of Local Government should write to the Ohio court to request the Certified True Copy of the judgment to form the basis for the government action.”
The statement further noted, “The Council had justified the decision to contact the Ohio court on the ground that governmental decisions should not be based on social media reporting alone.”
Rasheed disclosed that Governor Adeleke signed the official deposition order on May 7, 2026, stressing that the move was necessary to protect the integrity of the traditional institution and maintain public order.
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“In the Deposition Order signed by His Excellency on 7th May, 2026, the action was predicated on the need to maintain peace, order and good government as well as preserve the honour and integrity of the royal stool.
“The Deposition Order further stated that 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 monarch had earlier been sentenced by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on August 26, 2025, to 56 months in prison after being convicted of wire fraud, filing false tax returns, and conducting monetary transactions involving criminally derived funds.
The governor’s spokesperson added that the royal stool has now been declared vacant pending the commencement of procedures for selecting a new traditional ruler.
“By this deposition, the stool of Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant, while the necessary process will be put in place to appoint a new Apetumodu of Ipetumodu at the appropriate time.”
He also appealed to residents and indigenes of the town to remain calm throughout the transition process.
“The governor appeals to sons and daughters of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the process of installing a new king is being processed”, Rasheed said.
The post Gov. Adeleke removes Ipetumodu monarch after US fraud conviction appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
