Dispute deepens in Ipetumodu as royal families wrangle over vacant stool

Tension is mounting in Ipetumodu, Osun State, following renewed disagreement among princes over the fate of the Apetumodu stool after the conviction of Oba Joseph Oloyede in the United States.

The monarch, the 27th Apetumodu, was in August sentenced to more than four years in prison for COVID-19 loan fraud, alongside an order to forfeit assets and repay over $4.4 million in restitution.

At a meeting of the royal family on Tuesday, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House urged the most senior kingmaker, Chief Sunday Adedeji, to notify Governor Ademola Adeleke and press for the stool to be declared vacant.

Adedeji, however, declined the request, stressing that he would not be drawn into the move, a position that sparked heated exchanges and brought the gathering to an abrupt end. He later told reporters that peace and unity must be prioritised in the community.

The conviction of Oba Oloyede has sharpened long-standing rivalry between the Aribile and Fagbemokun ruling houses. While the Aribile lineage insists the throne should remain with them until the jailed monarch completes his term, the Fagbemokun family argues that tradition requires succession to rotate in their favour.

Meanwhile, the Osun State government has said it will study a Certified True Copy of the U.S. judgment before taking a position on the matter.