Dethroned Osun monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede files court case to stop Governor Adeleke from appointing a new king in Ipetumodu.
The dethroned traditional ruler of Ipetumodu town in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has taken Governor Ademola Adeleke to the Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to stop the state government from appointing a new king to fill the vacant royal seat.
The former monarch, who was removed from office after being convicted in the United States of tax fraud and money laundering, filed a court motion numbered HIF/50/2026 to block any official action on the royal stool until the full case is decided.
In his court application dated September 16, 2026, the removed traditional leader argued that Governor Ademola Adeleke and other top state government officials did not officially inform him of any wrong action or offense before going ahead to approve his removal from office.
Pointing to a newspaper report published by The Guardian on May 11, 2026, which revealed that the governor signed his deposition order on May 7, the dethroned ruler insisted that he was never given official notice or a chance to defend himself before the public announcement of his dethronement.
Joining the removed monarch as co-claimants in the legal suit are Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who are all representing members of the Latimogun Royal Family from the Aribile Ruling House in Ipetumodu.
Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Attorney-General of Osun State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, Chief Adesoye Babalola, who is the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and the Ife North Local Government Council.
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However, the legal hearing could not go on as planned on Monday because several of the listed defendants had not received their official court notices to appear for the case.
During the court sitting, only the lawyer representing the former monarch and his family members, O. Ogbewe, and the lawyer representing the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, were present in the courtroom.
While lawyer Ogbewe told the judge that all court papers had been sent out, lawyer Oyetayo explained that he had not received any notice for the day’s hearing and requested a short delay.
Addressing the lawyers present in the courtroom during the sitting, Justice Dapo Adeniji stated:
“The case is adjourned until January 21, 2027, and fresh hearing notices must be issued and served on all the defendants.”
The court will resume full hearing on the royal dispute in early 2027 to decide if the state government can proceed with selecting a new king.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
