The Council of Traditional Chiefs in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, and Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU), have dismissed media reports of alleged tension in the town reportedly induced by the absence of the town’s traditional ruler, Oba (Prof.) Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, Latimogun I, the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
In a statement, the two powerful bodies rubbished the reports which, they claimed, was the handiwork of some disgruntled elements who were still griping over the choice and installation of Oba Joseph Oloyede as the Apetumodu.
A distinguished scholar, university teacher, and renowned tax consultant, Oba Oloyede ascended the throne of his forefathers in 2019 as the 27th Apetumodu, and was elected as Deputy Chairman of the Osun State Traditional Council.
But recently, there were viral reports that Oba Joseph Oloyede and one Edward Oluwasanmi (61), had been arrested in the United States and were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, amounting to over $4.2 million.
The alleged fraud, according to the reports, was reportedly committed between April 2020 and February 2022 when the royal father and Edward Oluwasanmi allegedly submitted fake PPP and EIDL applications and fraudulently obtained $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
The reports claimed that Oba Joseph Oloyede had not been in contact with his subjects and traditional council, and had missed several major traditional festivals since the crisis burst open on April 3, 2024, with a publication circulated on major U.S. government websites. These, the Oba’s antagonists claimed, had fueled tension in Ipetumodu.
The situation, Oba Oloyede’s traducers alleged, had stoked serious tension within the sprawling agrarian town.
But in their press statement issued on Thursday, the Council of Traditional Chiefs, and Ipetumodu Progressive Union rubbished the reports. There was no tension in Ipetumodu, they said. They described media reports (in both traditional and social media) as a “hatchet job” “done by some few known disgruntled individuals from the town” who were hell-bent on ridiculing and denigrating the Royal Father.
The two bodies insisted that there was no lacuna between Oba Joseph Oloyede, his traditional council, and subjects, as the Royal Father maintains regular contact with them.
“To say Apetimodu has remained incommunicado is to stand truth on its head,” the statement declared. “He has been communicating regularly with the Elders and other stakeholders in the town. In particular, he has always been in touch with the Traditional Chiefs in their regular weekly meetings.
“During the Annual Prayer organized by the Ipetumodu Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, on January 11, 2025, Kabiyesi had an interactive session, via Zoom, with all residents of Ipetumodu. He prayed for and answered questions from the Community and explained why he was yet to be around.”
On the alleged tension occasioned by the monarch’s absence, the statement said:
“There is no tension of whatever type in Ipetumodu, except, of course, within the families of the disgruntled carriers of bad news. Ipetumodu is at peace, and there is no agitation amongst its citizens, including youths who sincerely love their Oba.”
Below is the full text of the press release signed by the IPU President, Dr. Israel Akinjogbin:
PRESS RELEASE
NO TENSION IN IPETUMODU, SAY TRADITIONAL CHIEFS AND IPETUMODU PROGRESSIVE UNION (IPU)
The Council of Traditional Chiefs in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, as well as Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU), and the entire Sons and Daughters of the ancient town are not only surprised but also embarrassed by the recent sponsored publications in both the conventional and social media outfits.
The hatchet job was done by some few known disgruntled individuals from the town. Their objective is obviously to ridicule and denigrate the personality of His Royal Highness, the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba (Prof) Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, Latimogun 1.
We initially thought of dismissing their publications as the rantings of black legs, but further wise counsel dictated that the public be informed of the truth to avoid repeated lies masquerading as truth.
It is not only in Ipetumodu that bitter contests usually follow the succession processes after the death of a reigning Oba. But, in most progressive environments, after the selection, approval and coronation of one of the Princes as the succeeding Oba, swords would be sheathed and all other contestants, including their die-hard supporters, will rally round the chosen Oba in the task of socio-economic and infrastructural development of the town.
It is disheartening that while all other co-contestants for the stool of Apetimodu had since moved on with their individual lives and have been supporting Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede in the task of the obvious development being currently witnessed in Ipetumodu, about two or three co-contestants had remained implacable and had refused to forgive the Kabiyesi for the “sins of being chosen by merit” by the Kingmakers.
Over four years after his coronation, and despite his conscious efforts at initiating and sustaining genuine reconciliation with them, the co-contestants, like the proverbial punch-drunk boxer, started throwing aimless blows towards the direction of the revered Kabiyesi.
In their desperation, they have become mindless to the fact that in an attempt to disparage or ridicule a particular individual, it is unwise to drag along the revered institution that individual is presently occupying and the whole Community which had willingly chosen him as their King.
It is on this basis that we have decided to serially address the falsity of their claims in the publications but concentrating only as they affect Ipetumodu as a Community.
(1). THE APETUMODU:
To say Apetimodu has remained incommunicado is to stand truth on its head. He has been communicating regularly with the Elders and other stakeholders in the town. In particular, he has always been in touch with the Traditional Chiefs in their regular weekly meetings.
During the Annual Prayer organized by the Ipetumodu Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, on January 11, 2025, Kabiyesi had an interactive session, via Zoom, with all residents of Ipetumodu. He prayed for and answered questions from the Community and explained why he was yet to be around.
(2). NO TENSION:
There is no tension of whatever type in Ipetumodu, except, of course, within the families of the disgruntled carriers of bad news. Ipetumodu is at peace, and there is no agitation amongst its citizens, including youths who sincerely love their Oba.
(3) COUNCIL OF CHIEFS:
That the Traditional Chiefs have refused to go to the Palace is a shameless lie from the pit of hell. Except for the Oosa, who died some few days back after years of age-related sickness, and the Iyalode who had been sick for a while now, all the Chiefs do regularly attend their weekly meetings inside the Chiefs’ Hall at the Palace.
(4). PALACE DEMOLITION:
The good intention and commendable efforts of Kabiyesi to give the Community a modern and befitting Palace began in 2021 with the full support of the Community and the Traditional Chiefs. The old and dilapidated Palace buildings could not be remolded into modern structures, hence the demolition.
Phases 1 and 2 of the 3-Phase structures are ongoing, though raw envy might have blinded the known detractors from seeing or acknowledging what is obvious.
(5). TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS:
Every annual traditional activity in the Community had never experienced setback in any form. The festivals had rather become enriched and strengthened through the massive participation of our people and tourists from other climes.
We therefore enjoin everyone to ignore whatever negative publications are coming out from the camp of the disgruntled elements. These are people with tainted opinions having their personal interest to serve. But for us, it is the overall interest of our beloved Ipetumodu that matters.
SIGNED
Dr Israel Akinjogbin, President, Ipetumodu Progressive Union (IPU)
