Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has removed the traditional ruler of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area of the state, Oba Gbenga Joseph Oloyede.
In a statement issued and signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, the government also revealed that the stool of Apetumodu has been declared vacant with immediate effect by the state government.
According to the statement, the decision to sack the monarch and declared the stool vacant was taken after due consultation, legal review, and approval by the State Executive Council (EXCO).
According to Alimi, “the action was taken in line with the provisions of the Osun State Chiefs Law (as amended) and other relevant legal frameworks guiding traditional institutions in the state.
The statement did not go into extensive details, but findings indicate that the deposed monarch had been convicted in the United States over COVID-19-related fraud and is currently serving a jail term.
The government also announced the withdrawal of the staff of office and all instruments of authority previously conferred on the monarch.
Following the development, the stool of the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area has now been declared vacant, paving the way for the selection of a new traditional ruler in accordance with established procedures.
