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JUST IN: U.S.-Based Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi Arrested By FBI Over Alleged COVID-19 Fraud
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.
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Man Beaten To Death In Lagos For Sleeping With Employer’s Wife
A young man from Plateau State, identified as Nengak, has been reportedly beaten to death by a mob in Lagos State after he was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with the wife of his employer.
According to a friend of the deceased, Bitrus Idi, who spoke to Daily Post, Nengak, a security guard, worked for a family in the upscale Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Lagos.
Nengak, who was in his early 20s, reportedly performed various household duties, including cooking, washing cars, and taking the couple’s children to school.
Idi revealed that the household’s husband was often away on international trips, leaving Nengak and his employer’s wife alone in the house.
“Being a handsome, strong, and hardworking young guy, his master’s wife had a crush on him and began inviting him for other duties outside what he was employed to do,” Idi said.
According to Idi, the affair had reportedly been going on for months, but it came to light when the husband installed a CCTV camera after hearing rumors about his wife’s infidelity.
“The man had pretended to be travelling outside Lagos. Unbeknownst to Nengak, the man had installed CCTV and had gotten enough evidence,” Idi explained.
On the day of the incident, the employer reportedly told his wife he was travelling but had secretly arranged for a group of local thugs to wait around the house. When the wife called Nengak to the master bedroom as usual, the husband and his gang burst in and caught the pair in the act.
“They beat Nengak to death, and till now, the case is still to be filed as we have nobody to fight for him,” Idi said. He also revealed that the police had demanded payment for the autopsy and other related expenses before they would proceed with the case.
As of now, Nengak’s body remains in the mortuary while his family and friends await further action.
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Imo: Mortuary owner on the run as police declare him wanted over alleged organ harvesting
One Mr. Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, a mortuary owner in Umuhu Autonomous Community in Ngor-okpala LGA, Imo State, is now on the run after the police declared him wanted over allegations of organ harvesting in the facility.
Oparaugo also runs a hotel in the community.
The Imo State Police Command carried out an operation at the mortuary which led to the discovery of disjointed and unkempt corpses in the facility.
The manner in which the dead bodies were tampered with, according to the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, suggested that organ harvesting is going on in the mortuary.
In a statement made available to journalists, Okoye disclosed that the operation was personally led by the police commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, acting on credible intelligence concerning the activities of the morgue.
He added that the operation was assisted by a vigilante group from the LGA, in line with ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes within the state, especially along the Owerri–Aba Expressway.
The statement disclosed that decomposed and mutilated corpses were discovered in unhygienic conditions in the morgue.
“Following these discoveries, both the hotel and mortuary were sealed on the directive of the state government. The suspect’s residence was also searched, and crucial exhibits were recovered,” the statement explained.
Okoye further hinted that a forensic report which was documented by the pathological department of the State Specialist Hospital will be used in the ongoing investigation.
He added that the Commissioner of Police assured the public that all accomplices would be identified and brought to justice.
“Stanley Morocco Oparaugo has been declared wanted. Anyone with useful information should contact the nearest police station or call 0803 477 3600.
Maximum security has also been deployed along the Owerri–Aba Expressway. The Command assures travelers during the holidays of its commitment to their safety,” the statement added.
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Royal Family Reacts After Popular Musician, KWAM 1 Shows Interest In Becoming Next Awujale Of Ijebuland
The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has instructed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to confirm his family’s royal lineage to validate his membership in the ruling house.
KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.
KWAM 1 also stated that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.
In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.
Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1, Olori Omooba of Ijebu land and others interested in the stool have been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.
According to him, the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.
He said, “The first step for anyone interested in contesting for the Awujale throne is to declare their lineage by filling the standard Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form. Once confirmed as a legitimate member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.
“We have told him, just like everyone else interested in the Awujale throne, that the first step is to declare his lineage. He will do this by completing the royal lineage data form, showing his full name, which parent and grandparent he descends from, and continuing up to seven generations.
“The completed form will be signed and submitted to the head of the ruling house unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who will affirm that he is a genuine member. Only then will the process move forward.”
Owoyemi emphasised that although the application window for the throne officially closed on December 5, KWAM 1 had been given a five-day extension, which would lapse on December 10.
He noted, “We won’t shut anybody out of picking the next Awujale, but we must ensure that you are a legitimate member of Fusengbuwa. Every right comes with responsibilities. For a royal family, everyone must prove their legitimacy by completing the royal lineage data form.
“When we receive the form, we will review it meticulously. If clarification is needed, we will contact the applicant. We welcome men of influence who will use their influence to enhance the throne, not to claim it, ensuring that what truly belongs to our family is preserved.”
Owoyemi explained that the local government has given them 14 days to select candidates, and the ruling house hopes to have a new Awujale by the second or third week of January 2026.
He added, “The local government has given us 14 days to select candidates, which expires on December 18. After that, the kingmakers have seven days to deliberate and choose one candidate, whose name will be forwarded to the governor.
“Legally, the government then has 21 days to conduct background checks and security clearance, allowing for objections or protests. After this period, the State Executive Council will ratify the nominee, and the governor will announce the next Awujale, after which coronation rites will commence.
“So, combining the candidate selection, kingmakers’ deliberation, and legal objection period, we are looking at around 42 days. Therefore, we expect the next Awujale to emerge between the second and third week of January.”
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