- Apetu of Ipetumodu, Joseph Oloyede, was missing for almost a year and was absent from major traditional festivals
- Oloyede and associate were reportedly arrested for allegedly defrauding the United States government relief programs of over $4.2 million
- TheRadar compiled public reactions following the incident below
The arrest of Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering has sparked a wave of reactions.
A statement issued by the US Department of Transportation revealed that Oloyede and Edward Oluwasanmi were indicted by a grand jury. The indictment documents showed that the two men were arrested on April 5, 2024.
Oloyede, Oluwasanmi allegedly defraud US COVID relief programs
According to the charges, from April 2020 to February 28, 2022, Oloyede and Oluwasanmi reportedly submitted false information in their applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These applications reportedly included falsified tax and wage documents to secure funds.
“The indictment alleges that Oloyede and Oluwasanmi fraudulently obtained over $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs),” the statement read in part.
Oloyede, who became the monarch of Ipetumodu in 2019, travelled frequently between Nigeria and the US for royal and personal matters.
Osun monarch missing for nearly a year amid fraud investigation
However, he has been missing for almost a year and was notably absent from three major traditional festivals, including the annual Egungun and Edi celebrations.
“Oloyede received $1.7 million, and Oluwasanmi received $1.2 million in SBA funds for their businesses.
“Oloyede obtained approximately $1.3 million through those applications, totalling at least $4.2 million obtained through the fraud,” the statement added.
US authorities, in collaboration with the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division, are continuing to investigate the case.
Public reacts to arrest of Apetu of Ipetumodu
“We've some thieves as elders in Yoruba lands. Youths are watching these elders loot their destiny. They'll even castigate you for speaking against these thieves,” Gbemisola CFC reacted.
“A criminal king, likely to be criminal before getting any position in Yoruba land,” Chibaby stated.
“😂😂 your Governors,Kings, elder statesmen... Are all the same people. Reason the best your region could offer Nigeria was BAT,” Santa added.
“Nigerians just keep proving to the world that they are the king of fraud. Even their elders are not left out. This is sad. You all should work towards changing this narrative,” African Techie reacted.
“The height of corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic was shocking; Never forget how palliatives were said to have been hijacked by not only politicians, but also by traditional rulers. It's sad since these public figures are supposed to look out for the masses,” Daniel Regha reacted.
“The Ooni of Ife is a fraud. The Apetu of Ipetumodu is a fraud. Tinubu is a fraud. If politicians (Tinubu), youths (Ramon Abbas), and traditional leaders (Oloyede), abeg who is not a fraud at this rate? We need to stop allowing criminals into power in Yorubaland o!” The Nigetian Citizen stated.
“The yoruba obaship has truly been bastardized. Obas used to be men of great character, but since we started mixing politics with traditional institutions, there has been so much misbehavior in that institution. We really need to retrace our step,” Morola Oyedele stated.
FBI arrests new Ogbaru LGA Chairman, Nwadialo in Texas over alleged $3.3 million romance scam
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Franklin Nwadialo, the newly elected chairman of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra State, was arrested in Texas by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar romance scam.
Nwadialo faced 14 counts of wire fraud, accused of defrauding victims of over $3.3 million by posing as a U.S. military officer online.