The meeting of princes in Ipetumodu, Osun State, turned chaotic after a member of the royal family demanded that the throne of the Apetumodu be declared vacant.

Naijaonpoint reports that the controversy follows the conviction of the 27th Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, recently sentenced to prison in the United States over COVID-19 loan fraud. The monarch was also ordered to forfeit assets and pay over $4.4 million in restitution.

However, during the royal meeting on Tuesday, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of the Aribile Ruling House urged the most senior kingmaker, Sunday Adedeji, to formally notify Governor Ademola Adeleke and request that the stool be declared vacant.

According to Daily Post, Adedeji rejected the demand, insisting he would not be party to such a move, and his stance triggered a heated exchange among the princes, forcing the meeting to end abruptly without a resolution.

Speaking briefly with journalists after the tension, Adedeji stated that “peace has to reign first” before making any comment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Oba Oloyede’s conviction on August 26, 2025. Since the ruling, the town has been gripped by uncertainty, with deepening divisions between the two royal lineages, Aribile and Fagbemokun.

While the Aribile Ruling House maintains that the throne should remain with them until the convicted monarch completes his jail term, the Fagbemokun family argues that the crown should now pass to their lineage in line with tradition.

The Osun State government has stated that it will review a Certified True Copy of the U.S. court judgment before determining the next line of action.