The deposed Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has instituted a legal action against Governor Ademola Adeleke, seeking to stop the state government from appointing a new traditional ruler to replace him.

Oloyede, who was removed from the throne following his conviction for fraud-related offences in the United States, is challenging the legality of his deposition and asking an Osun State High Court to prevent the government from filling the vacant stool pending the determination of his suit.

The former monarch is listed as the second claimant in suit number HIF/50/2026, filed before the High Court sitting in Ile-Ife.

In a motion on notice dated September 16, 2026, Oloyede sought an interlocutory injunction restraining Adeleke and other government officials from taking steps to appoint another person as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu until the substantive case is determined.

He argued that the state government failed to formally notify him of any wrongdoing or give him an opportunity to respond before taking the decision to remove him from the traditional institution.

The monarch also challenged an instrument reportedly signed by Adeleke on May 7, 2026, which formalised his removal from the throne.

Oloyede maintained that the process leading to his deposition violated his right to fair hearing, insisting that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself against the allegations before the government acted.

Other claimants in the suit include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro. They instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

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The defendants include Governor Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and Ife North Local Government.

The latest court proceedings took place on Monday, November 2, 2026, but the hearing could not proceed because of disagreements over the service of hearing notices on the defendants.

Only counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, and counsel representing the fifth defendant, Soji Oyetayo, appeared before the court.

Ogbewe informed the court that the defendants had been served with the relevant court processes.

However, Oyetayo disputed the claim, telling the court that he had not received the hearing notice. He consequently requested an adjournment to allow proper service on all parties.

In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the matter until January 21, 2027, directing that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

The legal battle follows Oloyede’s conviction by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio over his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds.

The former monarch was sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment on August 26, 2025, after pleading guilty to offences involving wire fraud, filing false tax returns and conducting financial transactions involving proceeds of criminal activity.

The US court also ordered him to pay approximately $4.4 million in restitution.

Following the conviction, the Osun State Government initiated steps that culminated in his removal from the traditional stool.

Adeleke approved the deposition in May 2026 after the state government obtained a certified true copy of the American court judgment.

The administration said the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the traditional institution and subsequently declared the Apetumodu stool vacant.

However, Oloyede’s latest court action challenges the procedure adopted by the state government, particularly the circumstances surrounding his removal and the proposed appointment of a successor.

The outcome of the case could determine whether the state government’s action withstands judicial scrutiny and whether the process of installing a new Apetumodu can proceed without further legal complications.

For now, the traditional stool remains at the centre of a legal dispute, with the court expected to resume proceedings on January 21, 2027.

Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Niger State after invading a farm where the children were helping their teacher harvest maize.

The abduction occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Tungan-Bako village, near Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers reportedly stormed the farm at about 12:30 p.m. and seized the students while they were assisting their Islamic teacher, popularly known as Mallam, with the maize harvest.

The teacher was also reported to have been taken away by the attackers, although the police confirmation did not explicitly establish his status.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said preliminary information indicated that approximately 14 students were abducted.

He dismissed earlier reports suggesting that as many as 50 students had been taken, clarifying that the police-verified figure was 14.

Abiodun said suspected bandits invaded the community and abducted people working on the farm.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he stated.

The police spokesperson assured residents that security operatives were working to secure the release of the abducted children.

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However, the command did not disclose whether the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families or demanded ransom.

The latest incident has heightened concerns about the safety of children and residents in rural communities across Niger State, particularly in Rafi Local Government Area, which has experienced repeated attacks and kidnappings by armed groups.

Separately, reports have also emerged of another alleged abduction involving pupils of an Islamic school in Maikujeri, another community in Rafi Local Government Area.

An AFP report cited local and security sources as saying that around 12 children were kidnapped on Saturday while returning from their teacher’s farm, with estimates ranging from 12 to 18 victims.

It was not immediately clear whether the Maikujeri report concerned the same incident as the police-confirmed abduction at Tungan-Bako or a separate attack.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Niger State, criticised Governor Mohammed Bago over the worsening security situation.

Vatsa accused the state government of concentrating on political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election instead of adequately addressing insecurity.

He also alleged that security agencies in the state lacked operational vehicles and other essential equipment needed to confront armed groups.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation,” he said.

Vatsa further criticised what he described as the government’s reliance on statements condemning attacks and expressing sympathy for victims without taking sufficient practical measures to prevent further incidents.

However, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the abducted children, as security operatives continue their rescue efforts.