Osun Monarch Jailed in U.S. for $4.2m COVID-19 Fraud

By Diafa Doubra,

A Nigerian monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has been sentenced to prison in the United States after being found guilty of participating in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.

According to U.S. authorities, Oloyede conspired with others to fraudulently obtain over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds meant for vulnerable citizens and struggling businesses during the pandemic. Court documents revealed that he used false identities and shell companies to apply for federal relief loans, which he and his accomplices later diverted for personal use.

Prosecutors said the monarch went as far as wiring part of the stolen funds back to Nigeria while spending lavishly in the U.S. on luxury items and real estate. The fraud was eventually uncovered after investigators noticed irregularities in multiple loan applications linked to his name.

In delivering judgment, the court ordered Oba Oloyede not only to serve a prison term but also to pay over $4.4 million in restitution, underscoring the seriousness of the crime. U.S. officials described the case as another example of how international fraud networks exploited the pandemic to enrich themselves at the expense of those in real need.

The conviction has sparked shockwaves back in Nigeria, especially in Osun State where Oloyede held a respected traditional title. Many residents expressed disbelief that a monarch, traditionally seen as a custodian of values and integrity, could be involved in such a scandal.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption groups in Nigeria have urged the federal government to take lessons from the case, noting that cross-border collaboration in tackling financial crimes is crucial. They argued that the sentencing should serve as a wake-up call to leaders in positions of trust, both at home and abroad.