In a dramatic twist of justice abroad, a United States District Court has sentenced Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, to 27 months in prison over his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fund scam that has also ensnared a traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court in Ohio on Wednesday, July 2, follows months of legal proceedings stemming from their arrest earlier in 2024 for defrauding the U.S. government of a staggering $4.2 million through falsified COVID-19 relief applications.
The two were jointly charged with 13 counts bordering on conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, money laundering, and monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.
While both defendants reached plea deals and admitted guilt on selected charges, the court slammed Oluwasanmi with a 27-month custodial sentence to run concurrently across counts 1, 11, and 12, along with a $15,000 fine and a mandate to report to the U.S. Marshal Service. He will also undergo three years of supervised release, as stipulated by the court.
The court’s forfeiture order was sweeping: “As a result of the foregoing offenses, defendants Joseph Oloyede and Edward Oluwasanmi shall forfeit to the United States all real and personal property derived from the proceeds of the fraud and money laundering crimes, including any property traceable to such illicit proceeds.”
Among the assets to be surrendered is a commercial property located at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, linked to Oluwasanmi.
In a parallel development, Oba Joseph Oloyede, a U.S.-based accountant and IT systems expert crowned monarch in July 2019, pleaded guilty to counts 1 and 13 of his own indictment. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday, August 1, where he also faces potential jail time and asset forfeiture.
Court documents revealed that both men orchestrated a web of fraudulent applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)—two financial relief packages created under the CARES Act to cushion American businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using falsified tax records and wage documents, the duo illicitly accessed funds meant to support small businesses and non-profit organizations battling the devastating economic fallout from the pandemic.
Investigations traced some of the fraudulent activities to companies owned by Oba Oloyede, including Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company, all used as fronts to launder and funnel the stolen funds.
The ripple effects of the scandal have reached Nigeria. Following Oloyede’s disappearance and subsequent trial in the U.S., the Osun State Government stated it is closely monitoring the legal proceedings.
Speaking on the issue, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, maintained the state’s stance on due process:
> “A person is innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. So, we are awaiting the final judgment before making any pronouncements.”
This high-profile case shines a harsh light on the international dimensions of pandemic-era fraud and the shocking entanglement of religious and traditional figures in a scheme that siphoned millions from government coffers intended for those most in need.
PIONEER NEWS 