U.S. Authorities Nab Nigerian Pastor for Fraud Charges
U.S.-based Nigerian pastor, Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi, has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 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, who leads a congregation in the United States, is accused of submitting forged documents to obtain loans intended to support businesses struggling during the pandemic. These funds were allegedly diverted for personal use, in violation of federal laws.
In April, he was indicted on a 13-count charge of fraud and arrested in Cleveland. Following his arrest, he was released on a $20,000 bail. Investigations revealed that in September 2020, Oluwasanmi transferred $221,880 to purchase a commercial property in Ohio, raising further questions about his financial activities.
The FBI has seized $620,000 from his accounts as part of the ongoing investigation into the extent of his involvement in the fraud scheme.