By Abiola Olawale
The Osun State Government has revealed plans to establish a committee to probe the disappearance of Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, amid allegations of his involvement in a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, disclosed this on Saturday.
Alimi stated that the government would set up a committee to investigate the monarch’s disappearance and the fraud allegations.
Alimi emphasised that while the government respects traditional institutions, it will not overlook misconduct if established.
He said: “We will set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the monarch’s disappearance and the allegations of fraud.
“We will not hesitate to take decisive action once all facts are established.”
Oloyede, crowned as the Apetu of Ipetumodu in 2019, has been absent from his community since March 2024, raising concern among residents.
In February 2025, reports confirmed that Oloyede was in the custody of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), facing a 13-count indictment for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering related to a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fund scam.
According to US court documents, Oloyede, a dual Nigerian-U.S. citizen and accountant, allegedly conspired with Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications between April 2020 and February 2022.
Both allegedly pleaded guilty on April 24, 2025, and Oloyede was ordered to forfeit assets to the US government.
