The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to begin the process of dethroning Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, following his conviction for fraud in the United States.
On August 26, 2025, Judge Christopher A. Boyko of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, sentenced the monarch to five years in prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. The court also ordered him to repay about $4.4 million to the victims.
Oba Oloyede had pleaded guilty to using six companies to fraudulently obtain loans under U.S. emergency relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Programme (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
In a letter signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to Governor Adeleke, HEDA insisted that a traditional ruler who carries the weight of a criminal conviction cannot continue to occupy a revered stool.
“Traditional rulers are custodians of culture and values. They symbolize authority and are the closest to their people. The stain of fraud or corruption must not compromise such a sacred position,” Suraju stated.
The organisation warned that failure to act could amount to condoning corruption and tarnishing the integrity of Osun State’s traditional institutions. It appealed to the governor to safeguard the sanctity of leadership and Nigeria’s reputation both at home and abroad.
HEDA added that it will continue monitoring developments and remain committed to promoting accountability, transparency, and the rule of law across all spheres of governance.
