FBI Arrests Nigerian Pastor and Osun Monarch in $4.2 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scandal

 FBI Arrests Nigerian Pastor and Osun Monarch in $4.2 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scandal

In a major international fraud crackdown, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi and Osun State monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede, accusing them of orchestrating a $4.2 million scheme to defraud the U.S. government’s COVID-19 relief funds.

The Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Operation

According to U.S. federal prosecutors, between April 2020 and February 2022, Oluwasanmi and Oloyede allegedly conspired to exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), both designed to assist businesses struggling due to the pandemic.

Oluwasanmi, leveraging his entities—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—reportedly secured approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent relief funds. Meanwhile, Oloyede is accused of orchestrating an even more extensive operation, securing $1.7 million for his businesses and an additional $1.3 million through falsified applications submitted on behalf of other co-conspirators.

High-Profile Arrests and Asset Seizures

The FBI took Oluwasanmi into custody in Cleveland, Ohio, in April 2024. He was later granted bail on a $20,000 bond, with his U.S. and Nigerian passports confiscated. Authorities have already seized over $620,000 from his financial accounts, including $599,250 from a Fidelity Investments account and $20,000 from a Key Bank account.

Meanwhile, Oba Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, was declared missing in March 2024—a disappearance that sent shockwaves through the royal circles of Osun State. However, investigations have now confirmed that he was arrested by the FBI on May 4, 2024, following a sealed indictment. The embattled monarch, who holds dual Nigerian and U.S. citizenship, is facing a 13-count federal indictment for his alleged role in the scheme.

Community Fallout and Ongoing Investigation

The revelations surrounding Oba Oloyede’s arrest have sparked widespread outrage in the Ipetumodu community, where his prolonged absence has left a leadership vacuum. Many residents, still grappling with the shocking allegations, have called for transparency regarding the monarch’s legal status.

U.S. authorities, including the FBI, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, continue to investigate the case under the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Fraud Task Force.

This high-profile arrest serves as a stark warning to individuals attempting to exploit government aid programs. As U.S. law enforcement continues to crack down on pandemic-related fraud, authorities emphasize that perpetrators—regardless of status or influence—will face the full weight of the law.