Former Olympic Snowboarder Makes FBI’s Most Wanted List for Drug Trafficking Empire
Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, discusses U.S. justice and accountability policy abroad. OLUKOREDE YISHAU, chief of Read more
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Nigerians intending to visit Australia to exercise caution due to an increase in Read more
Elon Musk has lauded the Tesla Cybertruck for containing a violent explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas Read more
Meghan Markle has officially returned to Instagram, five years after stepping away from the platform. The Duchess of Sussex made Read more
A former Olympic athlete has landed on the FBI’s 10 most-wanted fugitives list for allegedly masterminding a sprawling international drug trafficking operation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has authorized a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Ryan Wedding, who represented Canada’s snowboarding team at the 2002 Winter Olympics. At a press conference, Akil Davis, chief of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, detailed Wedding’s alleged criminal activities, stating that he “routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other locations in the United States.” Davis further alleged that Wedding orchestrated multiple murders and an attempted assassination as part of his criminal enterprise. Wedding faces serious federal charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to export cocaine, continuing criminal enterprise, and murder in connection with drug crimes. “Wedding went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine on the streets of U.S. cities and in his native Canada,” Davis remarked. Beyond the State Department’s substantial $10 million reward, the FBI is offering an additional $50,000 for information that leads to Wedding’s arrest. According to the FBI, Wedding stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 240 pounds, and uses several aliases including “El Jefe,” “Giant,” “Public Enemy,” and “James Conrad King.” Authorities recently made progress in the case with the October 2024 arrest of Andrew Clark, one of Wedding’s alleged associates. Clark is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on similar federal charges in U.S. District Court in Arizona. Related Posts US position in global justice, accountability, By Ambassador Schaack. Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, discusses U.S. justice and accountability policy abroad. OLUKOREDE YISHAU, chief of Read more Nigeria Issues Travel Advisory on Australia Over Rising Harassment and Discrimination The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Nigerians intending to visit Australia to exercise caution due to an increase in Read more Elon Musk Praises Tesla Cybertruck After Explosion Outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Elon Musk has lauded the Tesla Cybertruck for containing a violent explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas Read more Meghan Markle Makes Instagram Comeback After Five Years Meghan Markle has officially returned to Instagram, five years after stepping away from the platform. The Duchess of Sussex made Read more Olawale Moses OyewoleOlawale Moses Oyewole is an adept writer who stays on top of current events and curate informative and engaging articles for his readers. He is a digital strategist who help brands gain online visibility.
FBI Arrests Nigerian Pastor for $4.2 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
Prospective renters in Nigeria can now breathe a sigh of relief as a rental solution that simplifies renting and facilitates Read more
The Nigerian governors will attend and participate in a three-day leadership retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, designed to provide a platform Read more
Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, has pledged to remain loyal to Edo State's governor, Godwin Obaseki, despite Read more
Citigroup Inc. has stated that Nigeria, Angola, and Kenya are among the African nations that are anticipated to attract more Read more
The FBI has arrested Nigerian pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for allegedly conspiring with a traditional ruler, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. According to prosecutors, Oluwasanmi and Oloyede submitted forged documents to obtain pandemic relief loans meant to assist struggling businesses. The pastor allegedly funneled the funds through three of his companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—before diverting them for personal expenses. Court documents reveal that in September 2020, Oluwasanmi used $221,880 from the fraudulent funds to purchase commercial property in South Euclid, Ohio. A year later, on October 26, 2021, he transferred $1 million in relief funds into his company’s brokerage account. Federal authorities have seized approximately $620,000 from Oluwasanmi’s assets and are pursuing forfeiture of other properties linked to the scheme. On April 5, 2024, the FBI confiscated $599,250 from Dayspring Transportation’s Fidelity Investments account and nearly $20,000 from Dayspring Property’s Key Bank account. Oluwasanmi was indicted on a 13-count fraud charge and arrested in Cleveland in April. He was released on a $20,000 bail under strict conditions, including the surrender of his U.S. and Nigerian passports to prevent him from fleeing. His U.S. passport identifies him as Edward Olanrewaju Abiodun Oluwasanmi. If he fails to appear in court for his trial, he will be re-arrested and could face additional charges. Oluwasanmi and Oloyede’s case is the latest in a series of high-profile fraud convictions involving Nigerians in the U.S. Recently, Bidemi Rufai, an associate of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, was released from prison after serving time for a similar crime. Others, including Omobolanle Bombata (aka Bobo Chicago), Wale Ogundana, and the infamous Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas, have also been convicted of fraud in the U.S. Related Posts Market offers rent-now, pay-later answer to tenants. Prospective renters in Nigeria can now breathe a sigh of relief as a rental solution that simplifies renting and facilitates Read more Rwanda retreat: Nigerian governments discuss complex issues. The Nigerian governors will attend and participate in a three-day leadership retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, designed to provide a platform Read more Shaibu: I support Obaseki and seek governorship. Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, has pledged to remain loyal to Edo State’s governor, Godwin Obaseki, despite Read more Citigroup expects more foreign investment in Nigeria and others despite FX turmoil. Citigroup Inc. has stated that Nigeria, Angola, and Kenya are among the African nations that are anticipated to attract more Read more Olawale Moses OyewoleOlawale Moses Oyewole is an adept writer who stays on top of current events and curate informative and engaging articles for his readers. He is a digital strategist who help brands gain online visibility.