“No throne for a fraudster” – Calls mount for Apetu of Ipetumodu’s dethronement over $4.4m viral US scam

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to initiate the dethronement of the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, following his conviction for fraud in the United States.

Oba Oloyede was sentenced on August 26 by Judge Christopher Boyko of the Northern District of Ohio to five years in prison for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar scam that misappropriated U.S. COVID-19 relief funds.He was also ordered to repay approximately $4.4 million to the victims.

Court documents revealed that the monarch used six companies to secure loans fraudulently under emergency relief schemes, including the Paycheck Protection Programme and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme. He had entered a guilty plea prior to sentencing.

In a letter to Governor Adeleke, HEDA chairman Olanrewaju Suraju emphasized that a traditional ruler’s role demands integrity and moral leadership.

He said; “A traditional ruler, who by virtue of his position is expected to embody integrity, culture, and respect, cannot continue to occupy the revered stool of Ipetumodu while bearing the stigma of a criminal conviction abroad. Traditional rulers are custodians of culture and values, symbols of authority, and the closest link to their people. Such a sacred position must never be tainted by the moral burden of fraud, corruption, or criminal conviction. It is therefore on this premise that we respectfully demand the dethronement of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, to preserve the honour of Osun’s traditional institutions and safeguard the integrity of the state. The failure to act promptly could amount to condoning fraud and desecrating Osun State’s traditional institutions. We call on Governor Adeleke to uphold the sanctity of leadership and protect the image of Nigeria both nationally and internationally.”

HEDA warned that government inaction could be perceived as complicity, undermining public confidence in both leadership and governance.

The group also confirmed it would closely follow developments surrounding the case to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Osun State Government had previously indicated it would obtain the Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before deciding on the monarch’s fate.