A meeting of princes in Ipetumodu, Osun State, turned tense on Tuesday after a member of the royal family called for the Apetumodu throne to be declared vacant.
The call comes in the wake of the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, who was recently sentenced in the United States to over four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud. The traditional ruler was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay more than $4.4 million in restitution.
At the meeting, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House urged Chief Sunday Adedeji, the most senior kingmaker, to formally inform Governor Ademola Adeleke and request that the stool be declared vacant.
Adedeji, however, rejected the demand, insisting he would not be party to such a move.
His stance triggered a heated exchange among the princes, forcing the meeting to end abruptly without a resolution.
Speaking briefly afterward, he told journalists that “peace has to reign first”, before declining further comment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Oba Oloyede’s of Ipetumodu conviction on August 26, 2025. Since the ruling, the town has been gripped by uncertainty, with deepening divisions between the two royal lineages, Aribile and Fagbemokun.
While the Aribile Ruling House maintains that the throne should remain with them until the convicted monarch completes his jail term, the Fagbemokun family argues that the crown should now pass to their lineage in line with tradition.
The Osun State government has stated that it will review a Certified True Copy of the U.S. court judgment of Oyoleye of Ipetumodu before determining the next line of action.
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