Yoruba monarch, pastor face US prison in $4.2M COVID-19 relief scam

Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, and Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, are confronting potential prison terms in the United States after admitting guilt in a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud case.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) detained Oba Oloyede over accusations of defrauding the U.S. government of relief funds meant for pandemic support.

Crowned as the monarch of Ipetumodu in 2019, Oloyede, along with Oluwasanmi, faces 13 charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, defrauding the government, money laundering, and conducting financial transactions with illicitly acquired funds

After approximately one year in court, both men pleaded guilty to some charges after they appeared before Justice Christopher Boyko at the US District Court of Ohio.

On April 10, Oluwasanmi, represented by counsel Henry Hilow, pleaded guilty to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment. These counts accused him of using fraud proceeds to purchase commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, through wire transfer, and transferring money into a Dayspring transportation brokerage account.

“Guilty plea entered to counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment. Plea agreement executed. Sentencing set for July 2, 2025, at 10 am in Courtroom 9A. Defendant’s bond to continue with same conditions as previously ordered,” the document stated.

Oba Oloyede submitted his guilty plea on Monday, April 21, with the court scheduling Thursday, April 24, for his plea hearing.

It would be recalled that 62-year-old monarch was declared missing after missing several important festivals requiring his presence at Ipetumodu.

Court documents showed that between April 2020 and February 2022, Oloyede and Oluwasanmi submitted falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Programme loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans under the US Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. They allegedly used fake tax and wage documents to secure funds intended for businesses struggling during the pandemic.

The Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing loans to small businesses and non-profit organisations experiencing pandemic-related revenue losses. It also authorised the US Small Business Administration to issue advances or grants up to $10,000 to small businesses.

Oba Oloyede, previously based in Medina, Ohio, before becoming king, allegedly used several companies, including Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company, to defraud the government through COVID-19 relief funds.

Oluwasanmi reportedly used his companies – Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated – to obtain millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses, violating US federal laws.

According to court records, the duo fraudulently obtained $3.76 million from the US Paycheck Protection Programme and Economic Injury Disaster Loans scheme.

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