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COVID-19 Fraud: US Court Jails Pastor As Osun Monarch Forfeits Property

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A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian pastor, Edward Oluwasanmi, to 27 months’ imprisonment for COVID-19 relief fund fraud.

His friend, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, also forfeited his property to the US government while awaiting the court judgement slated for August 1.

Oluwasanmi and Oba Oloyede were arrested in early 2024 for fraudulently obtaining $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.

Saturday PUNCH had reported that Oluwasanmi and Oloyede pleaded guilty to some of the charges after reaching a guilty plea agreement with the court.

According to court records obtained by our correspondent, Judge Boyko sentenced Oluwasanmi to 27 months’ imprisonment on counts one, 11 and 12 of the indictment on Wednesday, July 2.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

The court also ordered Oluwasanmi to pay a fine of $15,000, while he is to report himself to the U.S. Marshal Service.

“Supervised release three years on each of counts 1 and 11-12, all such terms to run concurrently, with standard and special conditions.

“As a result of the foregoing offenses, defendants Joseph Oloyede and Edward Oluwasanmi shall forfeit to the United States: all property, real and personal, which constitutes – or is derived from – proceeds traceable to the commission of the wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy offenses; all property constituting, or derived from, proceeds the defendants obtained, directly or indirectly, as the result of the wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy offenses and any and all property, real and personal involved in the money laundering offenses, and any property traceable to such property,” the court said.

Oluwasanmi is to forfeit a commercial property on 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed Friday, August 1, for sentencing of Oloyede, after the monarch also pleaded guilty to counts one and 13 of his charges.

On Monday, April 21, Oba Oloyede, a US-based accountant and information system expert, who was appointed Apetu in July 2019, submitted his guilty plea to the court.

Oba Oloyede and Oluwasanmi were accused of submitting falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Programme and Economic Injury Disaster Loans under the US Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act between April 2020 and February 2022.

They were also alleged of using fake tax and wage documents to secure funds meant to support struggling businesses during the pandemic.

The US Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing loans to small businesses and non-profit entities experiencing revenue loss due to the pandemic.

The Act also authorised the US Small Business Administration to issue advances or grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses.

Oba Oloyede was accused of using some of his companies, including Available Tax Services Incorporated, Available Financial Corporation, and Available Transportation Company, to defraud the government.

Following the monarch’s disappearance, the Osun State Government had said it would await the outcome of his trial before taking action.

The government also said it would conduct investigations and take steps on the monarch’s disappearance from the palace.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday, said nothing had changed yet.

He said, “A person is innocent until a court convicts them. So, we don’t want to jump the gun; let us wait for the court’s pronouncement on the matter.”

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Chimamanda: Heartbreaking Details About What Killed Author’s Late Son Emerge

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The renowned author and her family were plunged into grief a few days ago after a statement was released confirming the untimely death of one of her twin sons, Nkanu.

In a post shared by renowned journalist and BON Awards organiser, Seun Oloketuyi, more heartbreaking details about what happened before the little boy was pronounced dead were revealed.

According to the post, which was credited to the author, Nkanu might still be alive today if not for a tragic incident that occurred at Euracare Hospital on January 6, 2026.

It was reported that the little boy initially had what was believed to be a cold, which later turned out to be a serious infection. He was admitted to Atlantis Hospital and was scheduled to travel to the United States the following day for advanced medical treatment.

Doctors and a medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore were reportedly already waiting to receive him.

Seun Oloketuyi further stated that the Johns Hopkins team requested an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture test. However, while preparations for his journey were ongoing, the Nigerian medical team administered intravenous medications.

While at Atlantis Hospital, Nkanu was referred to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best facility to carry out the procedures. On January 6, he was taken to Euracare, sitting in his father’s arms, after doctors advised that he be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedure.

According to Chimamanda, she was standing outside the theatre when she suddenly saw people rushing in and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Moments later, a doctor reportedly informed her that her son had been given too much propofol by the anaesthesiologist, causing him to become unresponsive and requiring urgent resuscitation.

She said Nkanu was later placed on a ventilator, intubated, and admitted into the ICU. A few hours later, he developed seizures and suffered a cardiac arrest. Sadly, he was later pronounced dead.

In the post, the writer was said to have alleged that her son was not properly monitored after being given an excessive dose of propofol. She also claimed that the anaesthesiologist casually carried him on his shoulder into the theatre and later switched off his oxygen after the central line procedure before again carrying him to the ICU.

The heartbreaking account has continued to stir deep emotions and outrage across social media.

Here is the Instagram post about Chimamanda’s son below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTU2D7NjUz5/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7b3a8bd2-870b-4003-946b-48ea4ab6865a

 

 

 

 

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Fusengbuwa Ruling House Fixes Monday To Fill Awujale Vacant Stool

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The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode has fixed Monday, January 12, 2026, for the commencement of the selection process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

This followed a letter of clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through the Executive Chairman, Ijebu Ode Local Government, Ogun State, Hon. Dare Alebiosu.

Recall that the Ogun State government had, about three weeks ago, advised the Fusengbuwa ruling house to halt the selection process of the new paramount ruler of Ijebuland, having identified a procedural error that could encourage a floodgate of litigation

The cancellation of the earlier selection process was announced at a meeting the state government held with the ruling house and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee in Abeokuta

The stool became vacant following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona in July after reigning for 65 years.
However, in a letter dated January 6th and signed by the Secretary of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo, the local government said that, having received clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Fusengbuwa ruling house should commence the process to fill the vacant stool of Awujale.

The statement partly reads, “Following clearance from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, I am directed to convey the approval of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, for the commencement of the process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is hereby authorised to begin its internal selection process in accordance with the Customary Laws of Ijebuland and the Chieftaincy Regulations of Ogun State.

“To ensure proper administrative documentation, please you are to formally notify the local government of the date, time, and venue of the nomination exercise. which must be within 14 days from the receipt of this notification, while representatives of the local government will attend strictly as observers.

“This approval is issued to facilitate due process and remains without prejudice to the traditional rights and internal procedures of the Ruling House.”

Similarly, the ruling house has equally fixed Monday, January 12, for the nomination meeting for the vacant stool of Awujale at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday and signed by Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, the chairman of the ruling house.

The letter partly reads “We wish to thank you for your letter dated 6th January, 2026, Ref No IOLG.584/11/34, and confirm to you, that our Ruling House Family Nomination Meeting for the vacant position of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of ljebuland, has, by the Grace of Almighty God, been fixed to take place on Monday, 12th of January, 2026 at The BISROD HALL, GRA, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu Ode by 12 Noon.

“We also hereby invite the Secretary of the Local Government and his officials, to please join us for the meeting, to observe and monitor our Ruling House Family Nomination meeting process, in accordance with the Law”.

Recall that the selection of the new Awujale, which has reportedly attracted over 60 contestants, has for some time generated significant interest, with the popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called KWAM1, also declaring his interest in the throne.

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Did Aisha Buhari Marry Ex-President’s Minister, Isa Pantami? DETAILS EMERGE

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A former media aide to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has debunked claims that former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has agreed to marry former Minister, Isa Ali Pantami.

Ahmad, in a post on Wednesday, via his official Facebook account, said some people have been pushing the narrative and sharing it on several platforms.

According to him, while the claim is something any reasonable person would dismiss outrightly, it is necessary to debunk it to prevent false information from spreading.

Naija News reports that Ahmad emphasized that there is no truth in the claims that Aisha has agreed to marry Pantami.

He wrote, “This is not even a claim that should warrant serious debunking, because any reasonable person would dismiss it outright. However, given that some individuals continue to push and circulate it, so it is now necessary to state that the story claiming Hajiya Aisha Buhari agreed to marry Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami is completely false. There is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever.”

In other news, former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has disclosed that her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, died of pneumonia and not cancer, contrary to widely circulated reports suggesting pulmonary lymphoma or leukaemia.

Aisha’s account is contained in a new biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr Charles Omole.

The book revealed that the final days of Buhari’s life, shortly after the completion of his eight-year tenure as president, were traumatic for his family due to serious health challenges.

Recounting the experience, Aisha Buhari said, “The final days were difficult. ICU for some days, then the ward, then the slide.

“The last three days were the worst.”

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Full List of 57 Forfeited Luxurious Properties Linked To Ex-President Buhari’s Minister, Malami

 

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