Nigerian Pastor Jailed in the U.S. for $4.2M COVID Relief Fraud

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A Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, has been sentenced to 27 months in a U.S. federal prison for defrauding the United States government of over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The sentence was handed down on July 2, 2025, by Judge Christopher Boyko at the U.S. District Court in Ohio.

Oluwasanmi, who operated under the radar during the height of the pandemic, pleaded guilty earlier this year as part of a plea deal. He admitted to using a network of shell companies—including Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Inc., and Dayspring Property Inc.—to funnel emergency funds meant to support struggling American businesses.

A Scheme Born in Crisis
Between April 2020 and February 2022, Oluwasanmi and co-defendant Joseph Oloyede—the traditional ruler of Ipetumodu in Osun State—allegedly submitted a series of fake applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) scheme.

The applications were backed by fraudulent wage and tax documents, designed to make non-existent companies appear legitimate. Once the funds were approved and disbursed, the money was swiftly diverted for personal gain.

The Fall of a Pastor
Oluwasanmi’s sentencing followed his February 2025 guilty plea on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions.

He was convicted on counts 1, 11, and 12—sentences that will run concurrently, resulting in 27 months behind bars. He has also been ordered to forfeit $1.3 million to the U.S. government.

What About the Co-Defendant?
While Oluwasanmi begins his prison term, the fate of Chief Joseph Oloyede, the first defendant in the case, remains undecided. The court is yet to issue a judgment on his role in the scam.

Their arrest in April 2024 drew widespread attention, particularly due to the involvement of a traditional ruler and a clergyman—two figures typically associated with moral leadership.

A Cautionary Tale
This case is one of many high-profile fraud convictions connected to pandemic relief programs, as U.S. authorities continue to crack down on exploitation of emergency funds.

What was meant to help families and businesses survive the worst global health crisis in a century became a goldmine for fraudsters. And for Pastor Oluwasanmi, what started as a plan to cash in on the pandemic has ended behind bars.

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