The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for conspiring to defraud the U.S. government. The alleged fraud involved $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Oluwasanmi is accused of working with Oba Joseph Oloyede, a Nigerian monarch. They allegedly submitted forged documents they used to apply for loans ostensibly to help struggling businesses during the pandemic.
Oluwasanmi allegedly used his three companies: Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation. He successfully secured millions of dollars in loans, then diverted the funds for personal expenses in violation of U.S. federal laws.
The Nigerian pastor, who resides in the U.S., was arrested in April in Cleveland, and has been indicted with 13-count fraud charge. He however got a $20,000 bail on the conditions that he must appear for trial failing which he will be re-arrested.
Funds Traced, Assets Seized
Meantime, prosecutors have seized around $620,000 from Oluwasanmi seeking to enforce a forgeiture of the amount. They also want to seize other properties acquired through the alleged fraudulent activities.
The FBI on its part seized $599,250 from his Dayspring Transportation account at Fidelity Investments. They also seized nearly $20,000 from his Dayspring Property account with Key Bank. Both seizures occurred on April 5, 2024.
Oluwasanmi’s U.S. and Nigerian passports have also been confiscated to ensure he doesn’t flee the US and appears in court..
His U.S. passport lists him as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi, passport number 58*****76, and Nigerian passport number is A10****31.
Many Nigerians have been convicted of fraud in the U.S. Bidemi Rufai, an associate of Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, was recently released. He served time for similar crimes.
Other Nigerians, like Omobolanle Bombata (aka Bobo Chicago), Wale Ogundana, and Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, have also faced fraud charges. They were also imprisoned in the U.S.
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