The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has arrested a Nigerian pastor based in the United States (US), Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi, for conspiring with an Osun traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to swindle the US government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
TheNewsGuru earlier reports that Oluwasanmi, alongside Oba, Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, were arrested and detained by FBI over allegations of defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
The US department of transportation had accused the monarch and his associate, Oluwasanmi, of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
According to U.S. court documents seen by the publication, the monarch was arrested on May 4, 2024, following an arrest warrant.
“The indictment alleges that Oloyede and Oluwasanmi fraudulently obtained over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs),” the statement partly reads.
However, in a statement released on the FBI’s website on Tuesday, February 18, FBI disclosed that Oluwasanmi submitted forged documents to apply for COVID-19 loans.
The agency mentioned that he used his three companies: Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation to secure millions of dollars, which he then diverted for personal use, violating US federal laws.
According to the agency, Oluwasanmi transferred approximately $221,880 in September 2020, via wire to purchase a commercial property on South Freen Road, South Euclid, Ohio.
On October, 26, 2021, he also transferred $1 million in COVID-19 funds to the brokerage account of his company, Dayspring Transportation.
The US based Nigerian pastor was arrested in Cleveland in April, 2024, but later released on a $20,000 bail, with the condition that he attends his court trial and serves his sentence if convicted.
Prosecutors have already seized around $620,000 from the Nigerian pastor and are now seeking the forfeiture of that amount, along with other assets obtained through fraudulent proceeds.
The FBI also seized $599,250 from his Dayspring Transportation account with Fidelity Investments Friday, April 5, 2024
Nearly $20,000 was also seized from his Dayspring Property account, ending at Key Bank on the same day.
To ensure his appearance at trial, both Olanrewaju’s US and Nigerian passports were confiscated.
Under the conditions of his bail, Oluwasanmi would be re-arrested if he fails to attend any court hearings for his trial.
