In a stunning case of high-profile criminality, a Nigerian Monarch named Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, has been sentenced to 56 months (over four and a half years) in U.S. federal prison.
Table of Contents
The ruling comes after he was found guilty of orchestrating a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme during the early years of the pandemic.
Judicial Ruling and Sentencing Details
On August 26, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio handed down the sentence. In addition to the prison term, Judge Christopher A. Boyko ordered that Oloyede:
- Pay approximately $4.41 million in restitution
- Forfeit his Medina, Ohio home, which was acquired using proceeds from the fraudulent scheme
- Surrender an additional $96,006 seized by investigators
- Serve three years of supervised release following his prison term
The Fraud Scheme Uncovered
Authorities revealed that from April 2020 to February 2022, Oloyede, along with a co-conspirator, submitted dozens of fraudulent loan applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, both established under the U.S. CARES Act to support struggling businesses during the pandemic.
Oloyede operated multiple business entities—including for-profit and nonprofit structures—through which 38 fraudulent applications were made, netting him over $4.2 million. Investigators also uncovered that he facilitated similar fraudulent applications on behalf of third parties, receiving 15–20% kickbacks. These activities were conducted in clear violation of federal law.
Connections to Nigeria’s Traditional Leadership
In Nigeria, Oloyede holds the prestigious title of Apetu of Ipetumodu, a hereditary monarchial role in Osun State. His downfall has sparked intense discourse at home about the intersection of tradition, leadership, and accountability, as citizens grapple with the dissonance of a monarch convicted in a foreign court.
Enforcement and Legal Collaboration
The case was brought to justice through a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and IRS Criminal Investigations. These agencies worked in close coordination with Nigerian counterparts to ensure extradition, prosecution, and enforcement.
Led by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the case forged new ground in the fight against fraud targeting pandemic relief funds. It stands as a stern warning: regardless of status or title, individuals who exploit crisis-accommodating programs for personal gain will face full accountability.
Broader Implications
The monarch’s conviction sheds light on vulnerabilities within emergency relief programs, especially during global crises. Ralphing up internal controls, verification processes, and oversight mechanisms is essential to safeguard taxpayer-funded initiatives.
For Nigeria and its traditional rulers, the case serves as a cautionary tale on the importance of ethics and public trust—even among cultural leaders. The scandal may prompt reflection among other custodians of tradition on how their roles align with integrity and compliance, especially when engaging across international domains.
Also Read: Ghana and Japan Space Science Collaboration
Oba Joseph Oloyede’s prison sentence for COVID-19 relief fraud exemplifies the uncompromising reach of U.S. justice. His case underscores that even leaders of tradition are not immune to prosecution when financial misconduct and fraud are involved.
As he begins his over four-year sentence, the broader conversation continues—about restoring legitimacy, healing community trust, and reinforcing accountability among all leaders, regardless of their origin or stature.
