By Gwurld4026 
How a Nigerian Pastor Exploited COVID-19: $4.2 Million Fraud Case
Here’s the updated story:
🧑⚖️ Sentencing in U.S. Court
- Edward Oluwasanmi, a U.S.-based Nigerian pastor, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on July 2, 2025, by Judge Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
facebook.com+15vanguardngr.com+15guardian.ng+15 - He pleaded guilty in February 2025 to multiple charges including wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, linked to COVID-19 relief loan applications.
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💰 Nature of the Fraud
- Between April 2020 and February 2022, Oluwasanmi and co-defendant Oba Joseph Oloyede (the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Osun State) submitted fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications totaling approximately $4.2 million, using falsified documents tied to businesses they controlled: Dayspring Transportation Ltd., Dayspring Holding Inc., and Dayspring Property Inc.
facebook.com+7vanguardngr.com+7pulse.ng+7 - Prosecutors allege the funds were diverted away from legitimate business needs and used personally.
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🏛️ Additional Court Orders
- Oluwasanmi was also ordered to forfeit $1.3 million, including a commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio.
instagram.com+15vanguardngr.com+15nairaland.com+15 - He will serve his prison term concurrently for the convicted counts and undergo three years of supervised release afterward, plus a $15,000 fine.
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👑 Co-defendant & Ongoing Proceedings
- His co-defendant, Oba Joseph Oloyede, pleaded guilty in April 2025. Though sentencing has been delayed until August 1, U.S. authorities have already seized assets connected to him.
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🧭 Why This Matters
- High-profile abuse of pandemic relief: The scheme undermines the purpose of COVID-era assistance programs in the U.S.
- Transnational implications: Involvement of Nigerian nationals—including a traditional ruler—dominates headlines both in the U.S. and Nigeria.
- Deterrent effect: The prison sentence and asset forfeiture signal stronger enforcement against international financial fraud schemes.
🔍 Summary Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Edward Oluwasanmi |
| Prison Sentence | 27 months (July 2, 2025) |
| Fraud Amount | $4.2 million |
| Forfeiture | $1.3 million + property in Ohio |
| Co-defendant | Oba Joseph Oloyede |
| Sentencing (Oloyede) | August 1, 2025 |
Let me know if you’d like details on U.S. fraud law, the status of Oloyede’s sentencing, or the reactions this case is drawing in Nigeria.
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