Nigerian Pastor Jailed in U.S. for COVID-19 Relief Fraud as Monarch Forfeits Property While Awaiting Sentencing.

 Nigerian Pastor Jailed in U.S. for COVID-19 Relief Fraud as Monarch Forfeits Property While Awaiting Sentencing.

A United States District Court has sentenced Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, to 27 months in prison for his role in a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fund fraud. Oluwasanmi was convicted alongside his associate, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, who has also forfeited property in the United States and awaits sentencing on August 1.

The pair were arrested in early 2024 and faced a 13-count charge, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in financial transactions with criminally obtained property. They were arraigned before Judge Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court in Ohio and later entered a plea deal, admitting guilt to some of the charges.

On July 2, Judge Boyko sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months' imprisonment on counts one, 11, and 12, with all sentences to run concurrently. He was also fined $15,000 and ordered to report to the U.S. Marshal Service. In addition, the court imposed a three-year supervised release for each count and ordered the forfeiture of a commercial property located at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio.

Oba Oloyede, a U.S.-based accountant and IT professional crowned monarch in 2019, submitted his guilty plea on April 21. The court has scheduled his sentencing for August 1. He allegedly used several of his companies—including Available Tax Services Inc., Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company—to submit falsified applications for COVID-19 relief funds.

The fraudulent activities targeted U.S. federal programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act between April 2020 and February 2022. The defendants were accused of using fake tax and wage documents to secure emergency loans intended to help small businesses survive pandemic-induced financial hardship.

In Nigeria, the Osun State Government has stated it will wait for the outcome of the court proceedings before deciding on the monarch’s status. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, reaffirmed the government’s position, saying, “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.”