Tension is mounting in Ipetumodu, Osun State, as concerns grow over the prolonged absence of the town’s traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede. Residents and community leaders are calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and unravel the mystery surrounding the monarch’s whereabouts.
Oba Oloyede, a US-based accountant and information systems expert, was appointed as the Apetu of Ipetumodu in July 2019, succeeding Oba James Adegoke, who passed away in November 2017. Since his coronation, the king had frequently traveled between Nigeria and the United States. However, since leaving the town in March 2024, he has not returned, fueling speculation and uncertainty among his subjects.
Allegations and Speculations
While some sources claim the monarch is ill and recovering in the US, others suspect he is entangled in a fraud case abroad. A chief in the town, who spoke anonymously, revealed that many high-ranking traditional leaders, including the Oosa of Ipetumodu—who is next in line to the throne—have stopped attending meetings at the palace.
“It’s been almost a year since we last saw our king,” the chief lamented. “He was expected to return by January 2025, but that never happened. During the annual Christian prayer event, a figure resembling the king appeared on a projector screen, but his face was not clearly visible. He insisted he was not in prison and promised to return, but we are still waiting.”
The chief also noted that Oba Oloyede had demolished the town’s historic palace, promising to construct a modern one. However, the project remains unfinished in his absence.
“The palace and even the customary court were brought down, and the king wasn’t even residing there before he left,” the source added. “Now, the town is without a proper royal residence.”
Absence from Key Festivals
The king’s continued absence has had a significant impact on cultural traditions. He was expected to preside over major festivals such as the Odun Egungun (masquerade festival), Odun Edi, and Ota Aaje (Obatala festival) but was nowhere to be found.
According to palace insiders, the Edi festival—where the Apetu must wear an ancient crown and offer blessings—was conducted without him, creating unease among residents.
“It was his wife who represented him, and that is a cultural abomination,” a source disclosed. “The masquerades are not meant to bow before a woman.”
The king also missed the Ota Aaje festival, where he is traditionally expected to interact with the sacred deity believed to have given birth to all Ipetumodu princes. His absence from Ipetumodu Day celebrations further deepened concerns.
Alleged Fraud Case in the US
Amid growing speculation, reports emerged linking Oba Oloyede to an alleged COVID-19 fraud case in the United States. Investigations indicate that a man named Joseph Oloyede, 61, was charged in April 2024 by a US federal court in Cleveland, Ohio, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
According to US authorities, the accused and a co-defendant, Edward Oluwasanmi, were involved in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Court documents state that Oloyede allegedly created fake businesses, submitted false applications for relief funds, and collected over $1.3 million in fraudulent claims.
Further findings suggest that the indicted Oloyede and the Apetu of Ipetumodu may be the same person. The indicted individual shares the same age, background, and professional history as the monarch. Additionally, the accused was linked to Available Tax Services, a Cleveland-based company that matches an entity publicly associated with the king.
Despite these allegations, some prominent figures in Osun State have cautioned against drawing conclusions, arguing that the official indictment does not include the king’s middle name, “Olugbenga,” and lacks any photographic confirmation of his identity.
Monarch Responds to Allegations
In a rare response, Oba Oloyede addressed his subjects via a projected video message during a New Year prayer event. Speaking in Yoruba, he dismissed the rumors and lashed out at those spreading negative reports about him.
“I thank God that the wishes of my enemies did not come to pass,” he declared. “Some people won’t even believe I am the one speaking. Those writing falsehoods about me will not see good things in their lives.”
When contacted via WhatsApp, the monarch neither confirmed nor denied the fraud allegations but suggested that he was the target of enemies seeking to dethrone him.
“There are many lies flying around,” he stated. “Some say I have been convicted. If a king is not dead, another cannot be installed. My absence does not mean I am not still the king.”
Asked when he would return, Oba Oloyede was vague. “I have work to do abroad,” he said. “A king does not receive a salary, so I must sustain myself. But I am alive, and I am not on my deathbed.”
Growing Calls for Government Intervention
As tension rises in Ipetumodu, community members are urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to step in and address the crisis. Residents insist that only the king’s physical return can dispel the rumors surrounding him.
For now, the fate of Oba Oloyede remains uncertain, leaving his people in limbo as they await clarity on their ruler’s situation.
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