The deposed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ademola Adeleke and other state officials over his removal from the traditional stool and plans to appoint a successor.

Oloyede, who was convicted of fraud-related offences in the United States, is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026 before the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife.

In a motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, he sought an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke and other defendants from taking steps to fill the Apetumodu stool or appoint another person pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The monarch argued that the state government did not formally notify him of any wrongdoing or give him an opportunity to respond before issuing the deposition order.

He also challenged the legality of the action, maintaining that his removal was carried out without due process.

Other claimants in the suit are Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are acting on behalf of members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

The defendants include the governor, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, traditional council officials and Ife North Local Government.

The court hearing was stalled on Monday after the parties disagreed over the service of hearing notices. While counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the defendants had been served with the necessary processes, counsel to the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, said he had not received the hearing notice.

Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the matter to January 21, 2027, directing that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on all defendants.

Oloyede was deposed by the Osun State Government in May 2026 following his conviction in the United States for offences involving wire fraud, filing false tax returns and financial transactions involving proceeds of crime.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sentenced him to 56 months’ imprisonment in August 2025 after he pleaded guilty to the offences.

The state government said its decision followed the receipt of a certified true copy of the American court judgment, adding that the monarch’s conviction had brought the traditional institution into disrepute.

It subsequently declared the Apetumodu stool vacant and announced plans to begin the process of selecting a successor.