The Osun State Government has dethroned the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area, Gbenga Joseph Oloyede, following his conviction and imprisonment in the United States for fraud.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke approved the removal with immediate effect, according to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.

The government said the decision followed due consultation, legal review, and ratification by the State Executive Council.

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The statement noted that the action was taken in line with the Osun State Chiefs Law and other relevant legal provisions regulating traditional institutions.

It added that the monarch’s Staff of Office and all instruments of authority have been withdrawn, while the stool of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu has been declared vacant.

Oloyede, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced on August 26, 2025, by Christopher A. Boyko to four years in prison after being convicted of leading a conspiracy to exploit COVID-19 relief loan programmes meant for struggling small businesses.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the former monarch forfeited a property in Medina, Ohio, acquired with proceeds of the fraud, along with an additional $96,006.89 traced to the scheme.

He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution amounting to $4,408,543.38.