The community of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area is facing uncertainty after its traditional ruler, the Apetu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, was convicted and sentenced in the United States for involvement in a COVID-19 relief fund fraud scheme.
Oba Oloyede, who holds Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in May 2024 during a visit to the US and later handed a 56-month prison sentence by a federal court. His alleged accomplice, Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, had earlier been sentenced to 27 months.
The conviction has triggered debate in Ipetumodu over the status of the throne. A chieftain of the Aribile Ruling House, Prince Taiwo Ayoola, described the development as “sacrilegious” and argued that the monarch does not belong to the Aribile family. He also alleged that the 2019 selection process ignored the Ifa oracle, a point of contention that has lingered in the town.
The Apetu stool rotates between two ruling houses, Aribile and Fagbemokun, and succession is governed by a Chieftaincy Declaration recognized by the state. Community leaders say consultations are ongoing, led by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Afolabi, though he has not publicly commented on the matter.
Residents are divided on the way forward. While traditionalists insist that a fresh Ifa divination must guide any new process, others emphasize compliance with state laws and formal recognition. Youth groups have also begun calling for clarity and a swift resolution, while elders urge restraint to avoid unrest.
For now, the future of the throne remains uncertain as the town balances tradition, community expectations and state authority in determining its next steps.
