A legal battle over the vacant traditional throne of Ipetumodu in Osun State is set to continue into 2027 after a former occupant, Oba Joseph Oloyede, asked the judiciary to prevent the state government from installing his successor.

The application, filed before an Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife, seeks to suspend the succession process until the court rules on a substantive case challenging his removal.

Oloyede, who was removed as Apetumodu following his conviction in the United States, is arguing that the state government failed to follow due process before terminating his reign.

He contends that Governor Ademola Adeleke and other relevant authorities never formally brought any allegations of misconduct to his attention before the decision to remove him was announced.

In the September 16, 2026 application, the former monarch requested an interlocutory injunction against the governor and other respondents, warning against any attempt to install another traditional ruler while the case remains unresolved.

The legal action also involves three princes of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House — Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro — who are pursuing the matter on behalf of themselves and other members of the family.

Apart from Adeleke, those listed as defendants include the Osun Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, traditional titleholders Chief Adesoye Babalola and the Malefon of Ipetumodu, as well as Ife North Local Government.

The court did not proceed with the hearing on Monday after a dispute emerged over whether all parties had received the required hearing notices.

While counsel representing the claimants, O. Ogbewe, maintained that the relevant court documents had been served, Soji Oyetayo, lawyer to the fifth defendant, Babalola, told the court that he had not received the hearing notice.

Oyetayo asked for more time to ensure proper service on all parties, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Dapo Adeniji, to adjourn the proceedings until January 21, 2027.

The judge also ordered the issuance and service of fresh hearing notices.

Oloyede’s removal dates back to May 2026, when Adeleke approved his deposition after the state government obtained an official copy of the judgment delivered against him by a United States court.

The monarch was sentenced to 56 months in prison in August 2025 after pleading guilty to offences involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications, false tax returns and financial transactions involving criminal proceeds.

The conviction followed an investigation into a scheme that defrauded the US government of millions of dollars through applications for emergency business support funds.

With the latest adjournment, the court is yet to determine Oloyede’s challenge to his removal or grant his request to stop the appointment of a replacement.

SOURCE AND VERIFICATION: The PUNCH, Nigeria News Alert, The Guardian (May 11, 2026 report on Adeleke’s deposition order)