Osun Government Seeks Official U.S. Court Judgment on Jailed Monarch

Osun state, Nigeria–The Osun State Government has announced its intention to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by a United States court that sentenced the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to 56 months in prison for COVID-19 relief fund fraud.

Oba Oloyede, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko in Ohio. In addition to the prison term, he was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $4.4 million in restitution. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his residence in Medina, Ohio, and an additional $96,006.89 linked to the fraudulent scheme.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the traditional ruler was involved in a conspiracy to defraud emergency loan programmes under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including the Paycheck Protection Programme (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) scheme. Between April 2020 and February 2022, Oloyede, alongside a co-conspirator, Edward Oluwasanmi, submitted falsified loan applications, collectively defrauding the U.S. government of more than $4.2 million. Oloyede later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false tax returns.

Reacting to the development, Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dosu Babatunde, said the state government would not act on media reports or social media commentary but would seek official documentation before considering any action on the traditional stool.

“While it may be true that the monarch has been convicted and sentenced, we currently do not have any formal record before us. We will obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment and, after a thorough review, determine the appropriate next steps,” Babatunde told reporters on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, calm prevailed in Ipetumodu as residents quietly discussed the news. Local sources confirmed that senior chiefs convened at the palace to deliberate on the unfolding situation. The most senior traditional chief, Sunday Adedeji, appealed for peace, stating, “May God never allow chaos in our community. By the grace of God, there is no crisis and none is anticipated.”

The state government has not yet made any formal pronouncement regarding the monarch’s status pending receipt and review of the U.S. court’s judgment.
By Enoch odesola/ August 28,2025