By Funmi Ojo
The Osun State Government has announced plans to take formal action following the conviction of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, Latimogun I, the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, who was recently sentenced to prison in the United States for fraud.
The decision was reached during the State Executive Council meeting in Osogbo, presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to immediately initiate steps to address what he described as an ugly development.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Chief Kolapo Alimi, the state government said it would first obtain a Certified True Copy of the U.S. court judgment before taking further action.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has also been tasked to engage Ipetumodu kingmakers and stakeholders to ensure peace and stability in the community.
According to the government, the commissioner will review the legal standing of the throne under Osun’s chieftaincy laws, ensuring all steps comply strictly with due process to forestall disputes.
“The government remains committed to protecting the integrity of traditional stools across Osun State while taking necessary measures to preserve peace, order, and cultural heritage,” the statement added.
Oba Oloyede was in August 2025 sentenced to 56 months in prison by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio after pleading guilty to defrauding the American government of about $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
He was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,408,543.38 and placed on supervised release for three years.
The monarch, alongside a co-defendant, Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, admitted guilt to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
