Following their guilty pleas to charges of COVID-19 relief fraud, Nigerian preacher Edward Oluwasanmi and Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, might face jail time in the United States.
In July 2019, Oba Oloyede, an accountant and information system specialist from the United States, was named the next Apetu.
Early in 2024, the monarch and Oluwasanmi were taken into custody for their involvement in a fraud involving the theft of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief monies.
Thirteen counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in financial transactions involving property generated from illegal activity were brought against the two individuals.
The US District Court of Ohio’s Justice Christopher Boyko heard their arraignment.
While residents of Ipetumodu were in shock at Oloyede’s departure from the village following a trip overseas, Saturday PUNCH exclusively reported on his arraignment.
The 62-year-old’s absence from multiple significant festivities that necessitated his presence caused uneasiness in the community, according to our correspondent.
Following an investigation, Saturday PUNCH verified that the US government was holding the monarch.
According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, Oloyede and Oluwasanmi submitted falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Programme and Economic Injury Disaster Loans under the US Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act between April 2020 and February 2022, using fake tax and wage documents to secure funds meant to support struggling businesses during the pandemic.
The Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing loans to small businesses and non-profit entities experiencing revenue loss due to the pandemic.
The Act also authorised the US Small Business Administration to issue advances or grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses.
Prior to his enthronement, Oba Oloyede was headquartered in Medina, Ohio. He was charged with defrauding the government through the COVID-19 relief fund by using many of his businesses, including Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company.
Oluwasanmi was also charged with violating US federal laws by allegedly utilizing his businesses, Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated, to earn millions of dollars that he then utilized for his own purposes.
Among other things, court filings claim that Oba Oloyede and Oluwasanmi stole $3.76 million from the US Paycheck Protection Programme and Economic Injury Disaster Loans program.
After about one year in court, the duo pleaded guilty to some of the charges and might face some prison sentences.
On April 10, Oluwasanmi, through his counsel, Henry Hilow, pleaded guilty to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment.
In the said counts, Oluwasanmi was accused of using some of the proceeds of the fraud to purchase a commercial property on 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, through wire transfer, and transferring money into Dayspring transportation brokerage account.
“Guilty plea entered to counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment. Plea agreement executed. Sentencing set for July 2, 2025, at 10am in Courtroom 9A. Defendant’s bond to continue with same conditions as previously ordered,” the document read.
On Monday, April 21, Oba Oloyede submitted his guilty plea before the court.
The court fixed Thursday, April 24, for the hearing of his pleas.
Oba Oloyede’s long absence from his community has been generating reactions from community leaders and chiefs, especially after he reportedly demolished the town’s palace with a promise to build a befitting one upon return from his trip before his arrest.
With the report of his trial in the US, some residents are demanding that the state government investigate the matter and intervene.
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