Joseph Oloyede, Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, have pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to court documents; Oluwasanmi allegedly used his companies Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated — to fraudulently obtain millions meant for pandemic relief, which he later spent on personal expenses, breaching U.S. federal laws.
The two men were charged in court on 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property.
On April 10, Oluwasanmi, through his lawyer Henry Hilow, pleaded guilty to counts one, eleven, and twelve, admitting he used fraudulently obtained funds to purchase commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, and moved money into a Dayspring Transportation brokerage account.
Oloyede entered his guilty plea on Monday. Both men’s sentencing is scheduled for July 2. They each face the possibility of lengthy prison terms.
Crowned as Apetu of Ipetumodu in 2019, Oloyede had frequently traveled between Nigeria and the U.S. for what was described as royal and personal engagements. His prolonged absences had already sparked concern among his community before his legal troubles came to light.
Their arrests on April 5, 2024, were confirmed by U.S. Department of Transportation in a statement earlier in April.
