The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to commence the process of dethroning the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, following his conviction for fraud in the United States.
On August 26, Judge Christopher Boyko of the Northern District of Ohio sentenced the monarch to five years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a scheme that diverted U.S. COVID-19 relief funds. He was also ordered to refund about $4.4 million to victims.
Court records revealed that Oba
Oloyede admitted guilt after investigators established that he used six companies to fraudulently secure loans from emergency relief programmes, including the Paycheck Protection Programme and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan scheme.
In a letter to Governor Adeleke, signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA stressed that retaining the monarch despite his conviction would undermine the credibility of the state’s traditional institutions.
“A traditional ruler, who by virtue of his office should embody integrity, culture, and respect, cannot continue to occupy the revered stool of Ipetumodu while carrying the stigma of a criminal conviction abroad,” Suraju said.
He added that traditional rulers are symbols of authority and custodians of culture and values, stressing that such positions must remain free from the taint of fraud and corruption.
HEDA further warned that government inaction could be interpreted as complicity, thereby eroding public trust in both leadership and governance.
“The failure to act promptly could amount to condoning fraud and desecrating Osun State’s traditional institutions,” the group stated, calling on Governor Adeleke to protect the image of the state and Nigeria at large.
The organisation vowed to monitor the situation closely while reiterating its commitment to accountability and transparency.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has said it will obtain the Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before making a decision on the monarch’s fate.
