Connect with us

Trending

JUST IN: U.S.-Based Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi Arrested By FBI Over Alleged COVID-19 Fraud

Published

on

 

The FBI has arrested Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for conspiring with Osun monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

Similar to the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Mr Oluwasanmi submitted forged documents to apply for COVID-19 loans intended to alleviate the financial strain on struggling businesses during the pandemic.

Using his three companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—Mr Oluwasanmi obtained millions of dollars, which he subsequently diverted for his personal expenses, violating U.S. federal laws.

The U.S.-based Nigerian pastor was indicted on a 13-count fraud charge and arrested in Cleveland in April. He was later released on a $20,000 bail, under the condition that he appears in court for trial and serves any sentence if convicted.

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

On October 26, 2021, he wired $1 million of COVID-19 funds to the brokerage account of Dayspring Transportation.

Prosecutors have already seized around $620,000 from the Nigerian pastor and are seeking to forfeit the confiscated amount along with other properties acquired through fraudulent means.

On April 5, 2024, the FBI seized $599,250 from Mr Oluwasanmi’s Dayspring Transportation account with Fidelity Investments, ending in –5800. They also seized nearly $20,000 from his Dayspring Property account ending in —3548 at Key Bank on the same day.

Both Mr Oluwasanmi’s U.S. and Nigerian passports have been confiscated to ensure his attendance at trial.

His name appears as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi on his U.S. passport, with the number 58*****76, while his Nigerian passport bears the number A10****31.

According to his bail terms, he would be re-arrested should he fail to appear in court for his trial.

The fraud cases involving Mr Oluwasanmi and the Osun monarch add to the long list of Nigerian fraudsters who have been convicted and are currently serving time in U.S. prisons.

Similarly, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s associate Bidemi Rufai faced a matching fate, having been released from Fort Dix correctional facility in December, where he served his sentence for fraud.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Again, EFCC Re-arrests Abubakar Malami

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again taken Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), into custody, just days after his initial questioning by the anti-graft agency.

Sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that Malami was arrested late Monday night and was reportedly struggling to meet the stringent bail conditions set by the EFCC that same night.

Investigations revealed that Malami was actively searching for two serving permanent secretaries to stand as sureties, a critical requirement to fulfill the bail conditions for his release.

“EFCC arrested Abubakar Malami again; he was looking for two Permanent Secretaries for bail conditions on Monday night,” a source privy to the probe disclosed.

This marks Malami’s second detention in quick succession. He had initially honored an EFCC invitation on Friday, November 28, to clarify certain issues and was granted bail but was almost forced to spend the night in custody due to the conditions.

Malami later confirmed his release from the first detention, stating on his official X handle, “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continue to unfold.”

The re-arrest comes amid Malami’s strong public dismissal of the core allegations leveled against him by the EFCC, which center on the recovery process of the $310 million (later $322.5 million with interest) Sani Abacha loot.

Malami dismissed the EFCC’s claims that he “duplicated” a recovery process allegedly completed by Swiss lawyer Enrico Monfrini before Malami assumed office in 2015.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, Malami described the EFCC’s claims as “baseless, illogical, and devoid of substance.”

Monfrini himself applied in December 2016 to be re-engaged for the same recovery, which Malami argued contradicts the notion that the process was already concluded.

Malami insisted he saved the Nigerian state between 15% (76.8 billion at an average ₦1,600/ rate) and 35% ($179.2 billion) of the recovered sum by rejecting Monfrini’s demand for a 20-40% success fee and a $5 million upfront deposit, opting instead for a local law firm on a transparent 5% success fee basis.

Malami concluded that “any claim or investigation suggesting abuse of office or money laundering in relation to the $322.5million is not rooted in any reasonable ground for suspicion.”

Continue Reading

Trending

NANS Southwest PRO, Pregnant Wife Escape Death As Armed Thugs Invade Lagos Home (Video)

Published

on

The Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, Comrade Kuku Isaiah Eromidayo, has called for justice after a violent attack at his home in Igando, Lagos State, left him injured and his pregnant wife traumatized.

Eromidayo, in a statement released on Tuesday and obtained by SaharaReporters, alleged that a group of armed men, led by a known ex-convict, invaded his home on Saturday, October 4, 2025, around 2:00 p.m., in what he described as an “unprovoked and life-threatening attack.”

“On Saturday, 4th October 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., some miscreants violently invaded my residence located at No. 47, Jamaica Street, Agric Road, Igando, Lagos State,” Eromidayo stated.

“During the unprovoked attack, I was physically assaulted and injured with a cutlass, while my pregnant wife was also terrified and traumatized by the incident.”
He alleged that the principal assailant was one Adeola Asela, whom he identified as “an ex-convict with a known criminal record”.

“The principal aggressor in this attack was one Adeola Asela, an ex-convict with a known criminal record who was previously involved in a robbery case at Iba in 2021, where I resided before relocating to my current address,” the student leader said.

“Adeola is being harbored and aided by one Mr. Taiye, popularly known as ‘Stubborn’, who is notorious in our community for harboring criminal elements and drug traffickers in his father’s house on the same street.”

According to the NANS spokesman, the attack did not end there. Later that same night, the alleged assailants returned, accompanied by armed hoodlums, and vandalized his property.

“Later that same night, the same Adeola, in company with armed hoodlums, including one Lekan in our street, and Mr. Taiye (Stubborn) returned to my house and vandalized my property, further endangering my family’s safety,” Eromidayo said.

“This malicious act has left us in a state of fear and insecurity, as we continue to receive threats and harassment from these individuals and their associates.”

In one of the photos obtained by SaharaReporters, Eromidayo identified Asela as the individual wielding a cutlass.

The student leader appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the AIG Zone 2, Onikan, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene urgently and ensure that justice is served.

“In view of the above, I earnestly appeal for your urgent intervention and a thorough investigation into this matter,” he pleaded.

“I trust that your esteemed office will take appropriate measures to ensure that justice prevails, the perpetrators are brought to book, and the safety of my family is guaranteed.”

The letter was officially copied to the Lagos State Police Command, AIG Zone 2, and the DSS.

 

https://share.google/pxBLgwLDaRwbEVFyQ

Continue Reading

Trending

MOTORISTS AMBUSHED AND ABDUCTED IN NGOR-OKPALA: IMO POLICE LAUNCH MASSIVE COUNTER-OPERATION

Published

on

 

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8-DEC-2025

A disturbing incident unfolded in Amala Autonomous Community, Ngor-Okpala LGA, on December 7, 2025, when armed assailants stormed the roadway, opened fire on a Toyota Highlander, and forcefully whisked away the occupants of a Lexus RS300.

The attackers were said to have emerged suddenly from a nearby bush path, shooting the driver of the Highlander—who was later confirmed dead at the hospital—before escaping with their abducted victims.

Following the attack, the Imo State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, immediately intensified security operations across the area.

Officers from the Ngor-Okpala Division swiftly cordoned off the scene, evacuated the injured driver, and initiated a coordinated manhunt alongside other security agencies and local vigilante outfits.

A wide-ranging search-and-rescue mission is now underway, with joint operatives combing the Amala forest corridor and tracking potential suspects. Investigators report that early progress has been made, and efforts to rescue the kidnapped individuals are continuing with renewed momentum.

The Imo State Police Command has reassured the public that all available resources are being deployed to crack down on the perpetrators and prevent similar incidents. Residents have been urged to remain calm and share any useful information with the nearest police station or through the dedicated emergency line: 0803 477 3600.

Continue Reading

Trending