There is growing tension in Ipetumodu, the headquarters of Ife North Local Government Area in Osun State, following the sudden disappearance of the sacred crown and royal beads belonging to the town’s traditional stool. The troubling development comes just weeks after the town’s monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, was sentenced to over four years in prison in the United States for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme.
The missing artefacts including the revered Aare crown and a set of ancient royal beads — are not just ceremonial items. They are seen as sacred symbols of Ipetumodu’s history, culture, and traditional authority. Their disappearance has thrown the town into a state of fear and confusion, with many residents concerned about the spiritual and cultural implications.
According to community sources, the items were allegedly taken from Oba Oloyede’s private residence, which had served as the monarch’s temporary palace since the demolition of the original royal court. Residents believe that some of the monarch’s close associates and palace aides may have been involved in moving the regalia quietly after the news of his conviction became public.
A respected chieftain from one of the ruling houses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed alarm over the potential consequences for the town.
“The crown is gone, and those behind its disappearance may not understand the consequences. Without the crown and beads, the enthronement of a new monarch could be plunged into crisis,” the chieftain said.
“More importantly, they risk provoking the wrath of the deities that guard this community. The regalia are not ordinary items; they are sacred.”
He called on anyone in possession of the regalia to return them to the community immediately “before it becomes too late.”
The controversy surrounding the missing items has deepened the crisis in Ipetumodu, coming shortly after the disgrace of Oba Oloyede, who was convicted in a U.S. federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Oba Oloyede, who also holds American citizenship, was arrested in May 2025 along with his associate, Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi. Investigators in the United States accused the duo of participating in a scheme that fraudulently obtained over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds intended for struggling American businesses during the pandemic.
On September 2, 2025, U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko sentenced Oba Oloyede to 56 months (4 years and 8 months) in federal prison. His conviction shocked many in Nigeria, especially in Osun State, where traditional rulers are held in high esteem as custodians of culture and moral authority.
Now, the twin crises — the monarch’s conviction abroad and the disappearance of key traditional symbols at home have left Ipetumodu in what many describe as a spiritual and cultural limbo.
Elders in the town are particularly worried about the succession process. In Yoruba tradition, the regalia — especially the crown and beads play a central role in installing a new monarch. Without them, any attempt to appoint or install a successor could spark controversy or even invalidate the process in the eyes of the people and the gods.
“This is beyond politics. This is about our identity as a people. The regalia carry ancestral power. Their disappearance is a dangerous development,” said another elder, who described the situation as unprecedented in the town’s history.
There are also growing concerns that the disappearance of the regalia could trigger disputes between ruling houses, some of which may view the current crisis as an opportunity to push for changes in the succession structure.
Meanwhile, community leaders and youth groups have started making calls for the immediate return of the missing items. Some have even threatened traditional sanctions against anyone found to be involved in the disappearance of the sacred objects.
The Osun State government and the Council of Traditional Rulers have yet to make an official statement on the matter. However, insiders say efforts are underway to investigate the situation and recover the missing regalia before it causes deeper unrest.
