Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s directive on the fate of the jailed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has cleared the path for his dethronement, princes from the ruling houses of the town have said.
The governor had, at the State Executive Council meeting on Friday, ordered the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Dosu Babatunde, to act on the “ugly development” surrounding the monarch’s imprisonment in the United States.
Oba Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu, was in August sentenced to more than four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud, alongside a co-conspirator. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio also ordered him to forfeit assets and pay over $4.4m in restitution.
Since his conviction, Ipetumodu has been thrown into uncertainty, with growing calls for the government to take a definitive stand on his throne.
Babatunde, while confirming receipt of Adeleke’s instructions, said on Sunday that his ministry had begun work on the matter.
“We are working on the directive of the Governor,” he said in a terse response to inquiries.
Reacting to the governor’s intervention, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House said Adeleke’s action has effectively blocked attempts by some kingmakers to retain the stool for the convicted monarch.
“We appreciate the governor. His directive to the commissioner is an expression of love for Ipetumodu people and the Oodua race. With that directive, plans by those working behind the scene to retain the stool for Oba Oloyede till he completes his term has collapsed,” Ayoola said.
Also, Prince Funsho Adeniji of the Fagbemokun Ruling House commended Adeleke for acting before the crisis escalated.
“Now that he has given directive, Fagbemokun will spring into action and work towards giving Ipetumodu a competent candidate to fill the stool of Apetumodu,” Adeniji stated.
Before Adeleke’s directive, the state government had said it was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before taking any step on the matter.
