Osun Government Removes Monarch Convicted in US Fraud Case

The Osun State Government has officially deposed the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, after his conviction in the United States over fraud-related offences.

Governor Ademola Adeleke approved the removal of the monarch following the submission of a Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by an Ohio court in the United States, where the traditional ruler was found guilty of tax fraud and money laundering offences.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, who said the State Executive Council had earlier resolved that the Osun Ministry of Local Government should formally obtain the court judgment before any official action could be taken.

According to the statement, the government maintained that decisions of such magnitude should be based on verified legal documents rather than reports on social media.

Rasheed explained that the deposition order, signed by Governor Adeleke on May 7, 2026, was aimed at safeguarding the integrity and honour of the traditional institution as well as maintaining peace and good governance in the state.

“The fraudulent conduct of Oba Joseph Oloyede, as established by the US court and admitted through his guilty plea, has brought the stool of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu and the institution of Obaship into disrepute,” the statement noted.

Oba Oloyede was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to 56 months imprisonment for wire fraud, false tax filings, and involvement in financial transactions linked to criminal proceeds.

Following the governor’s approval, the stool of the Apetumodu has now been declared vacant pending the commencement of the process to appoint a new traditional ruler for the Ipetumodu community.

The state government also urged residents and indigenes of Ipetumodu to remain peaceful and cooperate with authorities during the transition process.