Ipetumodu Community Condemns Jailed Monarch: Plans For New Kingship Revealed
By Basith Oladipupo
Tensions are palpable in the Ipetumodu community located in the Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, following the conviction of their traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, known as Apetu. The monarch, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced to 56 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko after being found guilty of orchestrating a $4.2 million fraudulent scheme related to COVID-19 relief funds.
Oba Oloyede’s arrest occurred during a visit to the U.S. in May 2024, alongside an accomplice, Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, who has already received a 27-month sentence for his involvement in the fraud.
Prince Taiwo Ayoola, a representative of the Aribile Ruling House to which the imprisoned monarch belongs, expressed deep disappointment regarding the situation. He emphasized that the traditional ruler has lost his status as royalty due to his illegal actions.
“He is no longer His Majesty; someone who behaves in such a disgraceful manner cannot be considered honorable,” Prince Ayoola stated. “In Ipetumodu, we pride ourselves on integrity. Our town has not faced corruption from a monarch before, and my father reigned for over 25 years without such disgrace.”
The mood in Ipetumodu has soured, as residents struggle to cope with the embarrassment caused by the monarch’s actions. Prince Ayoola, 83, a retired registrar who has served at several state-owned institutions, expressed his distress over the situation. He recalled warning the kingmakers against electing Oba Oloyede in 2019, advising them to heed the guidance of Ifá, the oracle, in their decision-making.
“I cautioned them against choosing him when 13 candidates were vying for the throne,” he recalled. “Ignoring the advice of Ifá has led to this unfortunate circumstance. He is not even part of our family.”
The prince went on to discuss the sacrilegious actions taken by the monarch, including the desecration of the palace grounds, which is a grave taboo in their culture. “He has never slept in the palace but has committed sacrilege by excavating the site and exposing the remains of past monarchs, incurring the wrath of our ancestors,” he lamented.
Plans are already in motion to replace Oba Oloyede with a new monarch chosen by the Ifá oracle. “Since he is not deceased, we have the right to appoint a successor. The community must move forward, and the gods have clearly rejected him,” Prince Ayoola stated.
While discussions among community leaders, including the chiefs led by Chief Sunday Afolabi, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, continue, the atmosphere remains tense. Many residents are reportedly considering protests against the convicted king, urging the government to expedite the selection of a new ruler for Ipetumodu.
Attempts to reach Chief Afolabi for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of this report. As the community grapples with the fallout from this unprecedented situation, the call for new leadership becomes increasingly urgent.
