The Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, and Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi have pleaded guilty to charges of COVID-19 relief fraud in the United States. The two men were arrested in 2024 for fraudulently obtaining $4.2 million through falsified applications for pandemic relief programs between 2020 and 2022. They were charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and arraigned before the US District Court in Ohio.
Court documents revealed that Oloyede, a US-based accountant before his enthronement, used his companies such as Available Tax Services and Available Financial Corporation to secure fraudulent funds. Similarly, Oluwasanmi employed his companies, including Dayspring Transportation Limited, to divert relief funds for personal expenses. After nearly a year of court proceedings, both men pleaded guilty to selected charges and await sentencing, with Oluwasanmi’s hearing set for July 2, 2025.
Oba Oloyede’s prolonged absence had caused unrest in his hometown, particularly after he demolished the town palace with promises of rebuilding it. His trial and guilty plea have intensified community concerns, prompting calls for the Osun State Government to investigate the situation and take appropriate action regarding the monarch’s status and leadership.
