The deposed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke and other government officials before the Osun State High Court over his removal from the traditional stool.
Oloyede is seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the state government from appointing another monarch to occupy the Apetumodu stool pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The former monarch was removed from office following his conviction in the United States for offences involving fraud.
However, he is challenging the process leading to his deposition, alleging that the Osun State Government failed to follow due process before announcing his removal.
Oloyede, who is listed as the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, is asking the court to stop Governor Adeleke and other defendants from taking further steps to fill the vacant traditional stool until the case is determined.
Other claimants in the suit include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are suing for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of 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 his motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede asked the court to restrain the defendants, their servants, agents or representatives from appointing anyone to replace him as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
Part of the application read:
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant who is the occupant of the Apetu’s stool, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.”
The former monarch also cited a publication in The Guardian newspaper of May 11, 2026, which reported that he had been deposed through an instrument allegedly signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
He argued that the purported removal was unlawful and insisted that neither the governor nor the relevant government officials informed him of any alleged wrongdoing before the announcement.
Another portion of the application stated:
“That 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 matter came up before Justice Dapo Adeniyi at the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Monday.
However, proceedings were adjourned until January 21, 2027, following issues relating to the service of hearing notices.
The court is expected to continue hearing the matter on the adjourned date.
