Oba Oloyede and Pastor Oluwasanmi admitted guilt in a U.S. court after securing $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief through fraudulent means
The Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, and Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi are facing possible prison sentences in the United States after pleading guilty to federal charges of COVID-19 relief fraud.
Oba Oloyede, a U.S.-based accountant and information systems expert before his enthronement in 2019, and Oluwasanmi were arrested in early 2024 for their roles in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $4.2 million in pandemic relief funds.
The two men were charged with multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, and money laundering. Court documents revealed they submitted falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Programme (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans between April 2020 and February 2022, using fake tax and wage documents.
Oluwasanmi pleaded guilty to counts 1, 11, and 12 of the indictment. “Guilty plea entered to counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment. Plea agreement executed. Sentencing set for July 2, 2025, at 10 a.m.,” court documents stated. He was accused of using fraudulent proceeds to purchase a commercial property and fund business accounts.
Oba Oloyede submitted his guilty plea on April 21, with a hearing scheduled for April 24.
The monarch’s prolonged absence from Ipetumodu — especially after demolishing the town’s palace with promises to rebuild — had sparked anxiety among residents. Now, calls have intensified for the Osun State Government to investigate and intervene following revelations about his legal troubles abroad.