New developments have emerged regarding the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, by a United States court in connection with a $4.2 million COVID-19 fraud case.
These occurrences arise amid discussions concerning the potential replacement of the beleaguered monarch, as reported by The Nation.
The absence of the ancient crown, referred to as the Aare crown, along with several royal beads, is generating considerable concern within the ancient town of Ipetumodu, which serves as the administrative center of Ife North Local Government in Osun State. Click link to continue reading.
New developments have emerged regarding the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, by a United States court in connection with a $4.2 million COVID-19 fraud case.
These occurrences arise amid discussions concerning the potential replacement of the beleaguered monarch, as reported by The Nation.
The absence of the ancient crown, referred to as the Aare crown, along with several royal beads, is generating considerable concern within the ancient town of Ipetumodu, which serves as the administrative center of Ife North Local Government in Osun State. Click link to continue reading.
This situation has unfolded shortly after U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko imposed a sentence of 56 months of imprisonment on Oba Joseph Oloyede for his involvement in the aforementioned fraud.
Sources indicate that the removal of these significant royal items has been linked to aides and loyalists of the monarch, who allegedly orchestrated the extraction of the items from the palace.
“The ancient crown and royal beads have disappeared from his house, which doubles as a palace. He had demolished the ancient palace and moved all the paraphernalia of the stool to his home. But we learnt that a woman and some of his aides were given the task to evacuate the crown and beads. The disappearance of the items portends a grave dilemma for this town, whenever the need arises for enthronement of a new monarch to replace Oloyede,’’ a chieftain from one of the leading ruling houses said.
He said, “The crown is missing and the mastermind has no idea of what they are doing and the backlash on our town; they are looking for the fury of the deities of this great ancient community and it will be in their best interest to return the crown and royal bead before it’s too late.’’
The Nation recalled that Oba Oloyede, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in May 2025 in the US, alongside one Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, after which they were both jailed for fraud.
Oloyede’s conviction has stirred calls for his replacement among princes and ruling houses jostling for the throne.
When The Nation visited Ipetumodu during the week, the once-bustling community was palpably tense. Although economic life continues with no disruption, the atmosphere was heavy with disappointment and uncertainty in the community, noted for a rich royal heritage and traditional leadership.
Streets and markets were abuzz with commercial activities amid hushed conversations, as residents weighed the shame and embarrassment against their loyalty to the revered stool.
Controversy over enthronement process of Oba Oloyede
There are two ruling houses in Ipetumodu: Aribile and Fagbemokun, which comprise several royal families. After the demise of Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adedokun Adego (Akunradoye II), in 2017, intense lobbying commenced among the heirs to the throne, especially from the Aribile ruling house, which consists of five royal families, namely: Ile-Elewa, Ajiga, Kiajee, Arowoosun and, recently, they added Latimogun.
Subsequently, Oba Oloyede emerged from the Latimogun ruling house and ascended the throne on October 26, 2019. Speaking with The Nation, a traditionalist who is also an heir to the throne, Prince Olaboye Ayoola, opposed the process that led to the emergence of Oba Oloyede, saying: “No traditional rite was conducted, and an Igbo man who is a civil servant put the crown on his head contrary to tradition.”
Ayoola said, “The disgrace we got from our jailed monarch is an indication that God comes with his judgment, and our deities are angry. This is because the process of his accession to the throne was unprecedented in this town. My grandfather, Oba Samson Ayoola Oyebode, was an Oba of this town, and he reigned between 1947 to 1970. It was written as part of the history of his emergence that once a king dies, the princes from the two ruling houses will come together and start meetings. Subsequently, the Chairman of the Local Government Council will address a letter to the next ruling house to produce the king within 14 days.”
