Alleged $4.2M scandal: Nigerian Monarch, pastor admit to COVID-19 fraud in US, details surface

• The Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, and Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi pleaded blameworthy successful the U.S. to COVID-19 alleviation fraud involving $4.2 million
• Both men were charged with conspiracy to perpetrate ligament fraud, wealth laundering, and related offenses aft falsifying applications for pandemic-related fiscal aid
• Oba Oloyede’s agelong lack from Ipetumodu, pursuing his apprehension successful the U.S., has caused interest among residents and calls for the authorities government's intervention

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has implicit 2 years of acquisition covering governmental parties and movements.

One twelvemonth aft his alleged disappearance, the Apetu of Ipetumodu successful Osun state, Oba Joseph Oloyede, and a Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, are facing imaginable situation sentences successful the United States of America aft pleading blameworthy to charges of COVID-19 alleviation fraud.

Osun Monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede, and a Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi plead blameworthy to $4.2M COVID-19 fraud. Photo credit: Oba Joseph Oloyede, Edward Oluwasanmi
Source: UGC

Oba Oloyede, a US-based accountant and accusation strategy expert, was appointed the caller Apetu successful July 2019.

Legit.ng reported that Joseph Oloyede was detained by the FBI and charged with conspiracy, ligament fraud, and money laundering for his relation successful a fraudulent COVID-19 alleviation scheme.

The monarch and Oluwasanmi were arrested successful aboriginal 2024 and the 2 men were charged with 13 counts of conspiracy to perpetrate ligament fraud, ligament fraud, conspiracy to defraud, wealth laundering, and engaging successful monetary transactions successful criminally derived property.

They were arraigned earlier Justice Christopher Boyko of the US District Court of Ohio.

FBI announces charges successful COVID-19 alleviation fraud lawsuit

FBI shares details of Osun monarch, pastor fraudulent scheme. Image for illustration purposes. Photo credit: Bennett Raglin/CBS via Getty Images)
Source: Getty Images

The United States Department of Justice released a connection confirming that Oloyede and his associate, Edward Oluwasanmi, person been indicted for fraudulently obtaining implicit $4.2 cardinal successful alleviation funds allocated nether the CARES Act, The Cable reported.

These funds were intended to enactment businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but authorities assertion they were misappropriated by the 2 individuals.

The indictment states,

“Oloyede and Oluwasanmi fraudulently obtained much than $4.2 cardinal successful COVID-19 alleviation loans done mendacious representations made successful their applications to the US Small Business Administration (SBA).”

The fraudulent applications submitted by Oloyede and Oluwasanmi reportedly included mendacious taxation accusation and fabricated wage documents to enactment the claims for fiscal aid.

Osun monarch, pastor plead blameworthy to covid-19 fraud

As reported by The Punch connected Saturday, April 26, After astir 1 twelvemonth successful court, the duo pleaded blameworthy to immoderate of the charges and mightiness look immoderate situation sentences.

On April 10, Oluwasanmi, done his counsel, Henry Hilow, pleaded blameworthy to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment.

In the said counts, Oluwasanmi was accused of utilizing immoderate of the proceeds of the fraud to acquisition a commercialized spot connected 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, done ligament transfer, and transferring wealth into Dayspring proscription brokerage account.

“Guilty plea entered to counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment. Plea statement executed. Sentencing acceptable for July 2, 2025, astatine 10am successful Courtroom 9A. Defendant’s enslaved to proceed with aforesaid conditions arsenic antecedently ordered,” the papers read.

On Monday, April 21, Oba Oloyede submitted his blameworthy plea earlier the court.

The tribunal fixed Thursday, April 24, for the proceeding of his pleas.

Osun monarch went 'missing' implicit $4.2m COVID-19 fraud

The monarch’s lack for implicit a twelvemonth led to increasing unease successful his community, peculiarly arsenic helium missed large taste events, including the Egungun Festival and Edi Celebration.

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Alleged $3.3m fraud: FBI arrests apical Nigerian person successful US

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Anambra authorities authorities has distanced itself from Franklin Nwadialo, the recently elected president of Ogbaru LGA, who was arrested successful the US by the FBI for allegedly perpetrating a $3.3 cardinal romance scam.

Law Mefor, the state's commissioner for information, said Nwadialo is not a nonstop appointee of Governor Soludo.

Mefor said the Anambra authorities authorities won't support him conscionable arsenic an APGA chieftain speaks connected the adjacent governmental measurement that whitethorn beryllium taken successful the lack of the embattled LGA chair.

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Source: Legit.ng