FBI arrests Nigerian pastor for internet fraud

The FBI has arrested a Nigerian pastor, Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi, for allegedly conspiring with the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to defraud the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

Oluwasanmi was accused of submitting forged documents to obtain loans meant to support struggling businesses during the pandemic, which he then diverted for personal use, violating U.S. federal laws.

The Nigerian pastor based in the U.S. was said to have used his three companies – Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation – to secure millions of dollars in fraudulent loans.

He was indicted on a 13-count charge of fraud and arrested in Cleveland in April, before being released on a $20,000 bail.

Oluwasanmi’s questionable financial dealings also include a wire transfer of $221,880 in September 2020 to purchase a commercial property in Ohio.

The case against him is ongoing, with the FBI investigating the extent of his involvement in the fraud scheme.

According to the report, on October 26, 2021, he transferred $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a brokerage account belonging to Dayspring Transportation, his company.

Prosecutors have already seized approximately $620,000 from the Nigerian pastor and are seeking the forfeiture of both the confiscated sum and other assets acquired through fraudulent proceeds.

On April 5, 2024, the FBI seized $599,250 from Oluwasanmi’s Dayspring Transportation account with Fidelity Investments (ending in –5800). An additional $20,000 was confiscated from his Dayspring Property account (ending in –3548) at Key Bank on the same day.

I received N777m from BDC operator for minister – Aide

Both his U.S. and Nigerian passports were seized to ensure his compliance with trial proceedings. His U.S. passport lists his name as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi.

As part of his bail conditions, he faces immediate re-arrest if he fails to appear in court for his trial.

On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that Osun monarch Oloyede, who was reported missing in March 2024, had been found in FBI custody.

He is facing serious charges of defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

The monarch, who is also a U.S. citizen, is currently battling a 13-count fraud indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

According to U.S. court documents, Oloyede was arrested on May 4, 2024, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The FBI accused him of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme through his six registered companies, obtaining loans meant for struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, the U.S. government introduced financial aid programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to support businesses affected by the pandemic.

However, loan applicants were required to submit tax records, wage statements, and other financial documents proving their eligibility.

Oloyede was said to have allegedly falsified these documents and misused the funds for personal expenses, in violation of federal law.

On April 3, 2024, a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio indicted Oloyede alongside Pastor Oluwasanmi for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Prosecutors alleged that from April 2020 to February 2022, the duo fraudulently obtained over $4.2 million in SBA-guaranteed relief funds.

Oloyede reportedly pocketed $1.7 million for his own businesses and another $1.3 million by submitting falsified applications for co-conspirators.

The Star