- Two recognised ruling houses in Ipetumodu began moves to fill the vacant Apetu stool after obtaining a Certified True Copy of a US court judgment against Oba Joseph Oloyede
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sentenced the monarch to 56 months’ imprisonment, ordered restitution of over $4.4m and forfeiture of assets
- The families said they would meet with Ademola Adeleke to determine the next steps, following advice to pursue dialogue instead of protest
Two recognised ruling houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, have commenced fresh moves to fill the vacant stool of Apetu following the acquisition of a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a United States court judgment against the town’s monarch, Joseph Oloyede.
The development comes after the conviction and sentencing of the traditional ruler by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Court records indicate that Oba Oloyede was sentenced on 26 August 2025 to 56 months’ imprisonment.
The judgment was delivered by Christopher A. Boyko, who also ordered that the monarch serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his custodial term. In addition, the court directed the payment of $4,408,543.38 in restitution.
US authorities further confirmed the forfeiture of a residential property in Medina, Ohio, reportedly acquired with proceeds linked to the offence. An additional $96,006.89 traced to the scheme was also ordered forfeited, according to information released by prosecutors in Ohio.
The case centred on allegations that the monarch led a conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 emergency loan programmes introduced to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic.
Following the conviction last year, the Osun State Government stated that it would not act solely on media reports but would await official documentation of the court’s decision. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, said at the time that the government would study the CTC before determining its next course of action.
Nearly six months later, representatives of the ruling houses confirmed that the certified document has now been formally obtained. The CTC, 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 Apetumodu.
Ayoola disclosed that the request for the document was initiated on 4 November 2025 by Prince Taiwo Ayoola and forwarded to the Clerk of the US court.
“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 said.
He added that plans were underway to meet with Ademola Adeleke to deliberate on the matter. According to him, the meeting is being facilitated by the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, who advised the ruling houses to suspend a proposed protest and instead pursue dialogue with the state government over the leadership of the ancient town.