The ancient Aare crown and royal beads of the Apetu of Ipetumodu, a sacred part of the kingdom’s heritage, have disappeared from the monarch’s residence in Ife North Local Government, Osun State. The unsettling development comes just two weeks after a U.S. court sentenced the monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to a 56-month prison term for his role in a $4.2 million COVID-19 fraud scheme.
Sources within the community link the disappearance to aides and loyalists of the monarch, who reportedly ordered the removal of the items from his house, which serves as the temporary palace. Oba Oloyede had previously demolished the ancient palace and moved the royal paraphernalia, including the crown and beads, to his personal home. A woman and several aides were reportedly tasked with evacuating the items.
The loss of the revered artifacts has created a grave dilemma for the town, particularly for the ruling houses currently vying for the throne following Oba Oloyede’s conviction. The monarch, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, was arrested in the US in May 2025.
A chieftain from one of the prominent ruling houses voiced his concern, stating, “The crown is missing and the mastermind has no idea of what they are doing and the backlash on our town; they are looking for the fury of the deities of this great ancient community and it will be in their best interest to return the crown and royal bead before it’s too late.â€
The atmosphere in Ipetumodu, a community known for its rich royal heritage, has become palpably tense. While daily commercial activities continue, a heavy sense of disappointment and uncertainty hangs over the town. Residents engage in hushed conversations, weighing the public shame of the incident against their loyalty to the revered stool. The situation underscores the challenges faced by the community as it grapples with a leadership vacuum and the potential loss of a crucial part of its royal history.
