Apetumodu Stool: Court delays hearing on Oba Oloyede’s replacement suit
A lawsuit initiated by Oba Joseph Oloyede, the former traditional ruler, and members of the Latimogun Royal Family is contesting the Osun State government’s efforts to appoint a new monarch. The claimants have approached an Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, seeking to prevent Governor Ademola Adeleke and other officials from installing a successor to the title of Apetumodu until the issue is resolved.
Oba Oloyede, the second claimant in case number HIF/50/2026, has requested an interlocutory injunction to halt any further actions regarding the traditional position while the substantive suit is pending. In a filing dated September 16, 2026, he argued that the state government had not provided him with notice of any alleged misconduct prior to the initiation of proceedings that resulted in his removal from the throne.
The application notes that Governor Adeleke signed an instrument on May 7, 2026, which officially removed Oloyede from his position. According to the court document, the claim states, “There was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the announcement of his removal.” The claimant further requested the court to restrain the governor and his officials from appointing another individual to the Apetumodu stool until the case is fully adjudicated.
Other claimants in the lawsuit include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are acting on behalf of the Latimogun Royal Family from the Aribile Ruling House. The defendants alongside Governor Adeleke include the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and the Ife North Local Government.
At the hearing on Monday, proceedings could not commence due to complications regarding the service of hearing notices to all parties involved. Only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, representing Chief Adesoye Babalola, were present. Ogbewe indicated that the defendants had received the necessary court documents, while Oyetayo countered that he had not received the hearing notice. He requested an adjournment to allow for proper notification to all defendants.
Justice Dapo Adeniji subsequently adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, and ordered that new hearing notices be issued and served to the defendants.
Oba Oloyede’s removal was prompted by his conviction in the United States for tax fraud and money laundering, which led the Osun State Government to sanction his deposition as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
