Royal Scandal: Tension As Adeleke Orders Action on “Stool” of Osun Monarch Jailed in US over Fraud

• Dethronement is imminent as Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped amid the call to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant
• While Osun kingmaker have rejected the call for the stool of Apetumodu following the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede, to be declared vacant, Governor has given instruction to the the state commissioner for LG and chieftaincy matters, Mr. Dosu Babatunde
• Legit.ng reported that a U.S. District Judge, Christopher A. Boyko, had ordered the traditional ruler to “serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution” over alleged Covid-19 fraud scheme

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has directed the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Dosu Babatunde, to act on the lingering crises over the stool of Apetumodu following the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede by a court in the United States of America.

The directive issued on Friday, September 13, to the commissioner came at the time tension was reaching its peak between those who wanted the stool to remain vacant till Oba Oloyede returned and those pushing for the installation of another monarch.

US court sends Nigerian monarch to prison

Recall that Nigerian traditional ruler, Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun state, Oba Joseph Oloyede, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment in the United States.

Oba Oloyede was said to have created and led a scheme that defrauded over $4.2 million from the federal loan and grant programmes.

The US court filed three-count charges against the traditional ruler, according to the office of the US Attorney in the Northern District of Ohio.

Tension as Osun kingmakers reject move to dethrone jailed monarch

Since the judgment, Ipetumodu has been unsettled, the princes in Ipetumodu, Osun state, could not agree on the call to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant.

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On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, tension erupted when a prince demanded that the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, as the most senior surviving kingmaker, write a formal letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke declaring the throne vacant.

As reported by The Punch, Adedeji rejected the request to declare the throne vacant during the meeting held within the palace premises.

Adedeji reportedly recused himself from any move to declare the stool vacant, which sparked a shouting match among the attendees.

When contacted, Adedeji confirmed his rejection of the proposal, saying only:

“It is true. Peace has to reign first,” before declining further comment.

Gov Fintiri gets approval power to appoint acting emirs, chiefs

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill that enables Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to appoint acting monarchs in the state.

The assembly made this possible by amending the Adamawa state chiefs’ appointments and deposition law 2025.

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Kebbi: First class emir appointed by Gov Idris

In another related development, Legit.ng reported that governor Nasir Idris, approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Mikail Sami Gomo, III, as the new Emir of Zuru.

Emir Sami Gomo III’s appointment was announced by Alhaji Abubakar Garba Dutsin-Mari, the state’s commissioner for local government.

Source: Legit.ng