The Osun State Government has vowed to launch a full-scale investigation into Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, over damning allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 relief funds amounting to a staggering $4.2 million.
Oba Oloyede, a United States-based accountant and information systems expert before his ascension to the throne in July 2019, is currently embroiled in a swirling transnational scandal that has sent shockwaves through traditional and political circles.
According to international reports, the monarch was arrested in early 2024 alongside Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi in the United States for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to defraud the U.S. government of COVID-19 relief funds through falsified applications. He is facing 13 serious charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in transactions involving criminally derived property.
In response to the growing outrage and calls for accountability, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, announced that a committee would be constituted to investigate the monarch’s disappearance and his entanglement in the criminal case abroad.
“We are deeply concerned about the implications of these allegations, not just on the integrity of the traditional institution, but on the image of Osun State as a whole,” Alimi stated. “While we hold our royal institutions in high esteem, we will not condone any act that undermines the rule of law and public trust.”
Alimi confirmed that Oba Oloyede had been absent from his domain for an extended period, raising initial suspicions. “The first red flag was the monarch’s prolonged absence from the state. Upon further inquiry, we discovered that he is currently facing prosecution in the United States. These revelations are deeply troubling,” he added.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Commissioner emphasized the government’s adherence to due process. “We are a government guided by the rule of law. The monarch was not installed by the current administration, but that does not mean we will shy away from acting appropriately once the facts are fully established.”
The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has been tasked with reviewing all findings, gathering relevant legal documents from U.S. authorities, and making formal recommendations to the state government. According to Alimi, the review will cover whether the monarch secured government clearance before traveling, the purpose of his trip, and the sequence of events leading up to his arrest.
“This is not just about one man; it is about the sanctity of leadership and the message we send to both citizens and leaders. We must ensure justice is served,” Alimi affirmed.
The unfolding saga has ignited widespread debate across the state and the nation, with many praising the Osun State Government for taking a bold stand against corruption, irrespective of status or title. As public interest intensifies, attention now turns to the courts abroad and the impending recommendations from the state’s investigative committee.
Beyond the local implications, the case has reignited calls for stronger oversight in the disbursement and management of COVID-19 relief funds, both at home and abroad. It serves as a stark reminder that no one, not even those cloaked in royal regalia, is above the law.
PIONEER NEWS 