U.S.-Based Nigerian Pastor Arrested By FBI Over Multimillion-Dollar Fraud

The FBI has detained Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for allegedly conspiring with Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Osun monarch, to swindle the US government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief monies.

Oluwasanmi and Oloyede allegedly used fraudulent paperwork to apply for loans intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic.

Oluwasanmi secured millions of dollars through his three companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—which he later diverted for personal needs, breaking US federal regulations. The Nigerian preacher, who lives in the United States, was indicted on a 13-count fraud allegation and detained in Cleveland in April. He was eventually released on $20,000 bond with the condition that he present at trial and serve any prison sentence if convicted.

Oluwasanmi paid approximately $221,880 in September 2020 for business property on South Freen Road in South Euclid, Ohio. On October 26, 2021, he sent $1 million in COVID-19 relief monies to the brokerage account of his company, Dayspring Transportation. Prosecutors have confiscated around $620,000 from Oluwasanmi and are attempting to forfeit that sum, as well as additional assets obtained through illegal conduct.

On April 5, 2024, the FBI seized $599,250 from Fidelity Investments’ Dayspring Transportation account and approximately $20,000 from Key Bank’s Dayspring Property account. Oluwasanmi’s passports to the United States and Nigeria have been confiscated in order to ensure his court appearance. Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi’s US passport number is 58*76, whereas his Nigerian passport number is A1031.

If Oluwasanmi does not appear in court for his trial, he will be re-arrested under the terms of his release arrangement. His case, like that of Oba Oloyede, joins a long list of Nigerian scammers convicted and imprisoned in the United States. Previously, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun’s associate, Bidemi Rufai, was freed from a US penitentiary prison after spending time for similar charges. Other renowned Nigerians, such as Omobolanle Bombata (aka Bobo Chicago), Wale Ogundana, and Ramon Ray ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, have faced fraud charges and imprisonment in the United States.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli