A Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, has been sentenced to 27 months in a U.S. federal prison for defrauding the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Oluwasanmi was arrested in April 2024 alongside Joseph Oloyede, the traditional ruler of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria. The pair were accused of masterminding a large-scale fraud scheme that exploited U.S. pandemic-era relief programs. They faced a 13-count federal indictment, including charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, defrauding the U.S. government, money laundering, and conducting illegal financial transactions.
Between April 2020 and February 2022, Oluwasanmi and Oloyede allegedly submitted fraudulent loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) scheme. They reportedly used falsified tax returns and payroll documents to support claims for businesses under their control.
Among the entities used in the scheme were Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated—all allegedly created or used by Oluwasanmi to funnel illicit funds. Authorities said the pastor diverted millions of dollars obtained through these fraudulent claims for personal use.
Oluwasanmi pleaded guilty in February 2025 as part of a plea bargain and was sentenced on July 2 by Judge Christopher Boyko at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. He was convicted on counts 1, 11, and 12 of the charges, with the sentences to run concurrently. In addition to his prison term, Oluwasanmi was ordered to forfeit $1.3 million to the U.S. government.
The case against Joseph Oloyede, listed as the lead defendant in the suit, remains ongoing, with a verdict yet to be delivered.
