The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States of fraud-related offenses, has sued Gov. Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the state government from filling the vacant traditional stool.
Oloyede, the second claimant in suit No. HIF/50/2026, filed a motion on notice before an Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, alleging that Adeleke did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing before initiating the process to replace him.
He asked the court to restrain the governor and his officials from appointing a successor until the substantive suit is determined.
Other claimants include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who filed the suit on their own behalf and for other members of the Latimogun royal family of the Aribile ruling house in Ipetumodu.
Other defendants include the Osun 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 the motion dated Sept. 16, 2026, Oloyede sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and representatives from taking steps to fill the Apetu stool or appoint another person in his place pending the final determination of the suit.
The motion cited on May 11, 2026, which alleged that Oloyede had been deposed through an instrument purportedly signed by Adeleke on May 7, 2026.
Oloyede argued that the deposition was unlawful and that he had not been informed of any alleged wrongdoing by the first three defendants before the publication and issuance of the purported deposition order.
The hearing was stalled Monday after the court found that hearing notices had not been served on all parties.
Only O. Ogbewe, counsel for the claimants, and Soji Oyetayo, counsel for the fifth defendant, appeared in court.
Ogbewe told the court that he had served the defendants with the relevant court documents. Oyetayo, however, said he had not received a hearing notice and asked the court to adjourn the case to allow the claimants to serve all defendants.
Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to Jan. 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
