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Edward Oluwasanmi, a Nigerian pastor, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison by a United States court for defrauding the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Oluwasanmi was arrested in April 2024 alongside Joseph Oloyede, the traditional ruler of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria. Both men were charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the government, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.
According to court documents, between April 2020 and February 28, 2022, Oluwasanmi and Oloyede submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) using multiple companies under their control. The applications contained false information and were supported by fabricated tax returns and payroll documents.
Oluwasanmi used entities such as Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated to secure the funds illegally. The money was later diverted for personal use, in violation of U.S. federal law.
In February 2025, both defendants pleaded guilty to some of the charges and entered into plea agreements with federal prosecutors.
On July 2, Judge Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison on counts 1, 11, and 12 of the indictment. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
“Defendant sentenced to 27 months on Counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment, to be served concurrently,” the judgment read.
In addition to the prison term, Oluwasanmi was ordered to forfeit $1.3 million to the U.S. government.
The case against Oloyede, who is listed as the lead defendant, is still pending. The court has not yet issued a ruling in his matter.
