By Abiola Olawale
A United States District Court has sentenced Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.
His associate, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria, has been ordered to forfeit valuable assets to the US government and awaits sentencing on August 1, 2025.
On July 2, 2025, Justice Christopher Boyko of the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison on counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment, to be served concurrently.
He was also fined $15,000 and ordered to report to the US Marshal Service, with a three-year supervised release period to follow.
A commercial property in Ohio, purchased with illicit funds, has been forfeited to the government.
Oba Oloyede, who ascended the Apetu stool in July 2019, pleaded guilty to 13 charges in April 2025 as part of a plea deal, waiving his right to appeal or seek restitution.
On May 5, 2025, Judge Boyko issued a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture, authorizing the seizure of assets tied to Oloyede’s fraudulent activities.
His sentencing, scheduled for August 1, 2025, could result in further penalties, including potential imprisonment.
Recall that between April 2020 and February 2022, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oluwasanmi and Oloyede allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to defraud US relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Court documents revealed that the duo allegedly submitted falsified applications using fake tax and wage documents to secure funds intended to support struggling businesses.
Their alleged fraudulent activities netted about $3.76 million, with some reports estimating the total as high as $4.2 million.
Oluwasanmi, leveraging his companies, Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated, was alleged to have diverted millions for personal expenses, including the purchase of a commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio.
