Two recognised ruling houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, have initiated fresh steps towards filling the vacant stool of Apetu of Ipetumodu after obtaining a Certified True Copy of a United States court judgment against the town’s monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede.
The development follows the conviction and sentencing of the traditional ruler by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Court records show that the traditional ruler was handed a 56-month prison term on August 26, 2025.
The judgment was delivered by Christopher A. Boyko, who also ordered that Oba Oloyede serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his custodial sentence.
In addition to the prison term, the court directed the payment of $4,408,543.38 in restitution.
Authorities in the United States further confirmed the forfeiture of a residential property in Medina, Ohio, said to have been acquired with proceeds linked to the offence.
An additional sum of $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 exploiting COVID-19 emergency loan programmes introduced to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic.
Following the conviction last year, the Osun State Government maintained that it would not rely on media accounts but would instead act upon receipt of official court documentation.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, had stated at the time that the government would study the Certified True Copy of the judgment before determining its next course of action.
Nearly six months after that position was made public, representatives of the ruling houses confirmed that the court document has now been formally secured.
The Certified True Copy, endorsed by the Deputy Clerk of the Ohio court, was presented in Osogbo by Prince Olaboye Ayoola, who spoke on behalf of the families entitled to produce the next Apetumodu.
Ayoola disclosed that correspondence requesting the document was dated November 4, 2025, and signed by Prince Taiwo Ayoola before being forwarded to the Clerk of the court in the United States.
“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,” Ayoola said.
He revealed that plans are underway for a meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke to deliberate on the matter and determine the path forward.
According to him, “the meeting is being facilitated by the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, who urged the ruling houses to suspend a proposed protest and instead pursue dialogue with the state government over the leadership of the ancient town.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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