The legal battle over the Apetumodu stool of Ipetumodu in Osun State has been adjourned until January 21, 2027, following a disagreement over the service of hearing notices on the defendants.
The case, instituted by the dethroned traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, and members of the Latimogun Royal Family, is challenging moves by the state government to appoint a replacement for the monarch.
The claimants are asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to prevent Governor Ademola Adeleke and other government officials from installing another person as Apetumodu pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Oba Oloyede, who is the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, specifically sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from taking further steps towards filling the vacant traditional stool.
In his application dated September 16, 2026, the former monarch argued that the state government did not notify him of any alleged misconduct before initiating the process that resulted in his removal.
He maintained that he was not allowed to respond to any allegation before his purported deposition was announced.
The application stated that Governor Adeleke had signed an instrument dated May 7, 2026, removing Oloyede from the throne.
According to the court document, “There was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the announcement of his removal.”
The claimant consequently asked the court to “restrain the governor, government officials, their agents and representatives from appointing another person to occupy the Apetumodu stool until the substantive case was concluded.”
Other claimants in the suit include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, who instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House.
Apart from Governor Adeleke, the defendants include the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
At Monday’s proceedings, the hearing could not commence because of issues surrounding the service of hearing notices on the parties.
Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and Soji Oyetayo, who represented the fifth defendant, Chief Adesoye Babalola, appeared before the court.
While Ogbewe informed the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant court processes, Oyetayo disputed the claim, stating that he had not received the hearing notice.
He requested an adjournment to enable the claimants to serve the required notices on all the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, and directed that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.
Oba Oloyede’s removal followed his conviction in the United States over offences involving tax fraud and money laundering. The Osun State Government subsequently approved his deposition as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
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