The United States 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.
Oluwasanmi, alongside Oloyede, allegedly tendered forged documents to apply for the loans meant for struggling businesses as shore – up funds during the pandemic.
Oluwasanmi allegedly used his three companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—to secure millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses, in violation of U.S. federal laws.
H was indicted on a 13-count fraud charge and arrested in Cleveland in April. He was later released on $20,000 bail under the condition that he appear for trial and serve any prison sentence if convicted.
In September 2020, Oluwasanmi transferred approximately $221,880 to purchase commercial property on South Freen Road in South Euclid, Ohio. On October 26, 2021, he transferred $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to his company, Dayspring Transportation’s brokerage account. Prosecutors have seized around $620,000 from Oluwasanmi, and they are seeking to forfeit that amount, along with other properties acquired through the fraudulent activities.
The FBI also seized $599,250 from his Dayspring Transportation account at Fidelity Investments and nearly $20,000 from his Dayspring Property account at Key Bank, both on April 5, 2024. To ensure his appearance in court, Oluwasanmi’s U.S. and Nigerian passports have been confiscated. His U.S. passport identified him as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi.
