Cleveland, Ohio – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for allegedly conspiring with Osun monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
According to court documents, Mr. Oluwasanmi, operating through his companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—submitted falsified documents to obtain loans intended to support businesses affected by the pandemic. Instead of aiding struggling enterprises, the funds were reportedly diverted for personal use.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has indicted both Mr. Oluwasanmi and Oba Oloyede on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. In April, Mr. Oluwasanmi was arrested in Cleveland and subsequently released on a $20,000 bail, with strict conditions to ensure his appearance in court.
Investigations revealed that in September 2020, Mr. Oluwasanmi transferred approximately $221,880 to purchase a commercial property in Ohio. Additionally, on October 26, 2021, he allegedly moved $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a brokerage account belonging to Dayspring Transportation. Authorities have seized around $620,000 from Mr. Oluwasanmi and are pursuing the forfeiture of these funds, along with other assets acquired through the alleged fraudulent activities.
This case underscores the FBI’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals who exploit relief programs designed to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
