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

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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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Chaos As Military Officers Exchange Blows During Tinubu’s Visit To Bayelsa (Videos)

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Personnel of the Nigerian military were seen engaging in a fight during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bayelsa on Friday.

In a video spotted on social media, the driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” was seen stepping down from his vehicle and exchanging words with another driver.

After returning to his vehicle, another driver with a rifle approached him and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver, triggering a brawl.

The incident quickly escalated into a free-for-all, with personnel attached to both vehicles exchanging blows, while stunned civilians watched in disbelief.

The cause of the altercation could not be immediately ascertained as of press time.

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HRH Ekwueme of Ochia Kingdom Iynched & kiIIed in Imo.

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Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia, Barr Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week.

Some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead. Eyewitness said the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.

Hrm lives in America, but some in his town accuse him of acquiring lots of wealth coming from the oil in their land and yet they have no nepa (light) and other amenities, and that this angered the youths of his community to take this step. One said Ms Duruaku wrote, “he ate the youth empowerment meant given to him by shell oil company and ran abroad for years”


#Ekwutosblog

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Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.

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