US-Based Nigerian Pastor Arrested by FBI Over $4.2M COVID-19 Fraud

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for allegedly conspiring with Oba Joseph Oloyede, a traditional monarch from Osun State, to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. According to reports, Oluwasanmi submitted falsified documents to apply for pandemic-related loans, which were intended to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Instead, he allegedly diverted the funds for personal use, violating U.S. federal laws.

Oluwasanmi reportedly used his companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—to secure millions of dollars in fraudulent loans. The U.S.-based pastor was indicted on a 13-count charge of fraud and arrested in Cleveland in April. He was later released on a $20,000 bail under the condition that he appears in court for trial and serves any potential prison sentence if convicted.

Investigations revealed that in September 2020, Oluwasanmi wired approximately $221,880topurchaseacommercialpropertyonSouthGreenRoadinSouthEuclid,Ohio.OnOctober26,2021,heallegedlytransferred$1 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a brokerage account linked to Dayspring Transportation, one of his companies. Prosecutors have since seized about $620,000 from Oluwasanmi and are seeking forfeiture of the confiscated funds, as well as other properties acquired with the proceeds of the alleged fraud.

On April 5, 2024, the FBI seized $599,250fromOluwasanmi’sDayspringTransportationaccountwithFidelityInvestmentsandnearly$20,000 from his Dayspring Property account with Key Bank. To ensure his appearance in court, authorities confiscated both his U.S. and Nigerian passports. His U.S. passport, issued under the name Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi, bears the number 58*****76, while his Nigerian passport number is A10****31. According to his bail terms, Oluwasanmi faces re-arrest if he fails to appear in court for his trial.

The case adds to a growing list of Nigerian fraudsters convicted or facing charges in the U.S. For instance, Bidemi Rufai, an associate of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, was released in December 2023 after serving a prison sentence for fraud. Similarly, in December 2024, suspected serial fraudster Omobolanle Bombata, also known as Bobo Chicago, was fighting to avoid jail time for allegedly hacking into company emails to steal millions of dollars. Bombata implicated another Nigerian, Wale Ogundana, whose African Shrine nightclub license was revoked over similar fraud allegations.

Notorious internet fraudsters Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, and Olalekan Ponle, aka Mr. Woodberry, are also serving prison sentences at Fort Dix Correctional Facility for their involvement in multimillion-dollar scams. Oluwasanmi’s case highlights the ongoing issue of fraudulent activities involving Nigerians abroad and underscores the efforts of U.S. authorities to combat such crimes. As the trial proceeds, it remains to be seen how the legal process will unfold for the accused pastor and his alleged co-conspirator, Oba Joseph Oloyede.