FBI Arrests U.S.-Based Nigerian Pastor Over Multimillion-Dollar Internet Fraud

The FBI has arrested Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi 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, along with Oloyede, allegedly submitted forged documents to obtain loans meant to support struggling businesses during the pandemic.

Using his three companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—Oluwasanmi secured millions of dollars, which he then 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.

In September 2020, Oluwasanmi transferred approximately $221,880 to purchase commercial property on South Green Road in South Euclid, Ohio.

On October 26, 2021, he moved $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds into a brokerage account under his company, Dayspring Transportation.

Prosecutors have seized around $620,000 from Oluwasanmi and are seeking to forfeit that amount along with other properties acquired through fraudulent activities.

The FBI also seized $599,250 from his Dayspring Transportation account at Fidelity Investments and nearly $20,000 from his Dayspring Property account at Key Bank, both on April 5, 2024.

To ensure his appearance in court, Oluwasanmi’s U.S. and Nigerian passports have been confiscated. His U.S. passport lists him as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi, with passport number 58*****76, and his Nigerian passport number is A10****31.

As part of his bail conditions, Oluwasanmi faces immediate re-arrest if he fails to appear for trial. His case, along with that of Oba Oloyede, adds to the growing list of Nigerians convicted of fraud in the U.S.

Earlier, Bidemi Rufai, an associate of Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, was released after serving time for similar offenses. Other Nigerians, including Omobolanle Bombata (aka Bobo Chicago), Wale Ogundana, and Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas, have also faced fraud charges and imprisonment in the U.S.