Tension gripped Ipetumodu, Osun State, on Tuesday during a meeting of princes over the fate of Oba Joseph Oloyede, the 27th Apetumodu, recently jailed in the U.S. for COVID-19 loan fraud.
Oba Oloyede was sentenced to over four years in prison, ordered to forfeit assets, and repay $4.4m. His conviction has fueled calls for Governor Ademola Adeleke to declare the throne vacant.
At the palace meeting chaired by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji, calm gave way to chaos when a prince demanded that Adedeji, as the most senior kingmaker, formally notify the governor. Adedeji refused, announced he was no longer interested in being a kingmaker, and recused himself from the process. The decision triggered heated arguments, forcing the meeting to collapse without resolution.
Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House expressed disappointment, saying: “We decided that two new kingmakers should be elected and a letter sent to the governor declaring the stool vacant. But Chief Adedeji rejected this, and chaos followed.”
Adedeji later confirmed his stance, stating only, “It is true. Peace has to reign first.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio confirmed Oloyede’s conviction in August, noting he exploited COVID-19 loan programmes under the CARES Act between 2020 and 2022.
The case has deepened divisions in Ipetumodu. Princes of Aribile argue the throne should remain with them, either until Oloyede completes his sentence or through another candidate from their house. But the rival Fagbemokun house insists it is their turn to produce the next Apetumodu.
Osun State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, said the government would obtain a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before deciding. Security was tight at the meeting, with DSS operatives stationed outside the palace.
#VeritasNewsHub #VeritasMedia #TrendingStory #Awareness #StayUpdated#StayUpdated
Post a Comment