Joseph Oloyede, a Nigerian traditional ruler and dual U.S. citizen, has been ordered by a U.S. federal court to forfeit millions in assets following his guilty plea in a $4.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud case.
Oloyede, who holds the chieftaincy title of Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria, pleaded guilty on April 24, 2025, to 13 counts of fraud related to the misuse of federal pandemic relief programs.
Though sentencing is still pending, Judge Christopher Boyko of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio granted a government motion on May 5 to seize assets linked to the scheme.