COVID-19 Fraud: Nigerian Pastor Gets 27 Months in US Prison as Osun Monarch Loses Property

A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, to 27 months in prison for illegally receiving COVID-19 relief funds.

His associate and traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, known as the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria, also lost ownership of his property in the U.S. while waiting for his own court judgment, now scheduled for August 1.

Both men were taken into custody in early 2024 after being accused of defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million meant to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They were charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud itself, money laundering, and using illegally obtained funds for business transactions.

The case was heard before Judge Christopher Boyko at the U.S. District Court in Ohio. According to court documents, both Oluwasanmi and Oba Oloyede pleaded guilty to some of the charges under a plea agreement.

On Wednesday, July 2, the court sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison for three counts—1, 11, and 12 of the indictment. These sentences will run at the same time. He was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and report to the U.S. Marshal Service.

The court noted, “Supervised release three years on each of counts 1 and 11-12, all such terms to run concurrently, with standard and special conditions.”

In addition, both defendants must give up all property gained from the crime.

The court noted, “As a result of the foregoing offenses, defendants Joseph Oloyede and Edward Oluwasanmi shall forfeit to the United States: all property, real and personal, which constitutes – or is derived from – proceeds traceable to the commission of the wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy offenses…”

One of the properties Oluwasanmi will forfeit includes a commercial building at 422 South Green Road in South Euclid, Ohio.

Meanwhile, Oba Oloyede, who had been a U.S.-based accountant before becoming a monarch in July 2019, is also facing consequences. He entered his guilty plea on Monday, April 21, admitting guilt to counts one and 13. His sentencing is set for August 1.

Between April 2020 and February 2022, both men submitted fake applications for the U.S. Paycheck Protection Programme and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These programs were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, meant to assist small businesses struggling during the pandemic. Authorities say the duo used false tax records and wage documents to support their fraudulent applications.

Oba Oloyede was accused of using several businesses, including Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company, to commit the fraud.

Back in Nigeria, the Osun State Government is monitoring the situation. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, noted that no action will be taken yet. “A person is innocent until a court convicts them. So, we don’t want to jump the gun; let us wait for the court’s pronouncement on the matter,” he said.

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