Joseph Oloyede: HEDA Urges Osun Governor Adeleke to Dethrone Ipetumodu Monarch Convicted of COVID-19 Fraud in U.S.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption and human rights organization, has called on the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to immediately commence the statutory process of dethroning Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, following his conviction and sentencing by a United States court for COVID-19 relief fraud.

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On August 26, 2025, Judge Christopher A. Boyko of the Northern District of Ohio, United States, sentenced Oba Oloyede to five years’ imprisonment for his role in a multi-million dollar fraud involving COVID-19 relief funds.

The court also ordered him to repay approximately $4.4 million to victims of the fraudulent scheme. The monarch had earlier pleaded guilty after prosecutors presented evidence that he fraudulently used six companies to obtain loans under U.S. emergency relief packages, including the Paycheck Protection Programme (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) schemes.

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The civil society group, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, stressed that a traditional ruler, who by virtue of his position is expected to embody integrity, culture, and respect, cannot continue to occupy the revered stool of Ipetumodu while bearing the stigma of criminal conviction abroad.

According to Suraju, traditional rulers are the custodians of culture and values, symbols of authority, and closest to their people. Such a sacred position must never be tainted by the moral burden of fraud,  corruption or criminal conviction.

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“It is therefore on this premise that we respectfully demand the dethronement of Oba Yusuf Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, to preserve the honour of Osun’s traditional institutions and safeguard the integrity of the state.” Suraju added. 

The anti-corruption organisation warned that failure to act promptly could amount to condoning fraud and defiling Osun State’s traditional institutions by the government. It urged the Governor to uphold the sanctity of leadership and protect the image of Nigeria both nationally and internationally.

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HEDA assured that it will continue to monitor developments closely and remain steadfast in advancing accountability, transparency, and the rule of law across all sectors of governance and leadership.