A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede (the Apetu of Ipetumodu) and a Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, are facing possible prison sentences in the United States after pleading guilty to charges of COVID-19 relief fraud.
Oba Oloyede, a US-based accountant and information system expert, was appointed the new Apetu in July 2019. The monarch and Oluwasanmi were arrested in early 2024 for their roles in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $4.2m in COVID-19 relief funds.
The two men were charged with 13 counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property.
They were arraigned before Justice Christopher Boyko of the US District Court of Ohio.
The 62-year-old monarch has been in the custody of US authorities. After about one year in court, the duo pleaded guilty to some of the charges and might face some prison sentences. On April 10, Oluwasanmi, through his counsel, Henry Hilow, pleaded guilty to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment. Their sentencing is set for July 2, 2025. Oba Oloyede submitted his guilty plea before the court on Monday, April 21.
The monarch’s long absence from his community has been generating reactions from community leaders and chiefs, especially after he reportedly demolished the town’s palace with a promise to build a befitting one upon return from his trip before his arrest.
Few months back, news that the monarch was facing fraud trial in the US broke out after the people of Ipetumodu raised concerns over his disappearance from the community after a trip abroad. There was growing anxiety in the community after the king was absent from several important festivals that required his presence.
-additional information from Punch.