Edward Oluwasanmi Abiodun, a Nigerian pastor, has been handed a 27-month prison sentence by a United States court for defrauding the US government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Edward Oluwasanmi was arrested in April 2024 alongside Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, in connection with the fraud scheme.
Both men were arraigned on 13 counts, which included conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and conducting financial transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activity.
According to court filings, between April 2020 and February 28, 2022, the pair submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Programme (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) on behalf of companies they controlled.
They allegedly supported these applications with falsified tax returns and wage documentation.
Oluwasanmi reportedly used companies such as Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated to secure the funds, which he later misappropriated for personal use—actions in violation of US federal laws.
In February 2025, both defendants pleaded guilty to several charges and entered into plea agreements.
On July 2, Judge Christopher Boyko of the US District Court for the Eastern Division of Ohio sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months imprisonment on counts 1, 11, and 12. The terms are to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of $1.3 million to the US government.
“Defendant sentenced to 27 months on Counts 1, 11 and 12 of the indictment, to be served concurrently,” Judge Boyko ruled.
Judgment is still pending in the case against Oloyede, the first defendant.
