A Nigerian pastor based in the United States, Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi, has been arrested by the FBI over involvement internet fraud.
He was arrested for allegedly conspiring with Osun monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Oluwasanmi, alongside Oloyede, allegedly submitted forged documents to apply for the loans intended to support struggling businesses during the pandemic.
Oluwasanmi used his three companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—to secure millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses, violating U.S. federal laws.
The Nigerian pastor, who resides in the U.S., was indicted on a 13-count fraud charge and arrested in Cleveland in April. He was later released on $20,000 bail under the condition that he appear for trial and serve any prison sentence if convicted.
As part of his bail agreement, Oluwasanmi will be re-arrested if he fails to appear in court for his trial.
