Ruling Houses move to fill vacant Apetu of Ipetumodu stool
Ipetumodu Ruling Houses Move to Fill Vacant Stool of Apetu
Ipetumodu, Osun State – Following a conviction in a United States court, two prominent ruling houses in Ipetumodu are taking steps to fill the vacant stool of the Apetu of Ipetumodu, previously held by Oba Joseph Oloyede.
Oba Oloyede was sentenced to 56 months in prison on August 26, 2025, by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The ruling, delivered by Judge Christopher A. Boyko, also includes three years of supervised release following his incarceration. Additionally, the court ordered Oloyede to pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution.
U.S. authorities confirmed the forfeiture of a residence in Medina, Ohio, allegedly purchased with funds linked to Oloyede’s offenses. Prosecutors reported an additional forfeiture of $96,006.89 connected to the case, which centered on accusations that the monarch orchestrated a scheme exploiting federal COVID-19 emergency loan programs intended to support struggling small businesses.
In response to the conviction, the Osun State Government stated its intent to act only upon receipt of official court documentation. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, indicated that the government would review the Certified True Copy of the judgment before determining its next steps.
Nearly six months later, representatives of the ruling houses announced they had obtained the court document. The Certified True Copy, endorsed by the Deputy Clerk of the Ohio court, was presented in Osogbo by Prince Olaboye Ayoola, on behalf of the families entitled to produce the next Apetu.
Ayoola revealed that a request for the document, dated November 4, 2025, was signed by Prince Taiwo Ayoola before being sent to the U.S. court clerk. “With the CTC now in our possession, we believe the appropriate authorities in Osun State can take the necessary steps regarding the stool of Apetumodu,” he stated.
Plans are underway for a meeting with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to discuss the matter. According to Ayoola, the meeting is being facilitated by State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, who encouraged the ruling houses to postpone a planned protest in favor of engaging in dialogue with the state government over the leadership of Ipetumodu.
