EFCC probes prophet over alleged N70.3m fraud in Enugu

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have launched an investigation into a self-acclaimed prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over allegations that he defrauded members of his ministry of more than N70.3 million through a series of purported spiritual and investment schemes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed on Wednesday that the suspect is being investigated following multiple petitions from church members who accused him of obtaining money under false pretences by promising miracles, prosperity, business returns and spiritual solutions to personal challenges.

According to the EFCC, the investigation began after Okey Uwakwe, a petitioner, alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya presented himself as a genuine man of God with supernatural powers capable of influencing life events and solving long-standing family problems.

Uwakwe claimed that the prophet convinced him to pay N6.23 million for spiritual interventions aimed at persuading his brother, who had lived abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria.

The petitioner further alleged that the cleric assured him that he could help his sister-in-law, who had reportedly been childless for more than 15 years, conceive through spiritual exercises.

Based on those assurances, Uwakwe said he paid an additional N3.25 million to the suspect for what was described as spiritual work.

In another alleged scheme, Ajuluchukwucheya was said to have informed members of his congregation that he had won N33 billion in a lottery game and promised that anyone who financially supported him would receive dividends from the windfall.

Believing the claim, Uwakwe reportedly contributed N3.35 million to the venture.

The petitioner also alleged that church members were encouraged to invest in a proposed rice-processing business valued at N1 billion, with contributors promised partnership benefits.

 He said he invested N500,000 in the venture.

Altogether, Uwakwe claimed to have paid the suspect N13.33 million without receiving any of the promised benefits or returns.

As investigations progressed, the EFCC said more members of the ministry came forward with similar complaints, alleging that they had also been persuaded to part with substantial sums of money through various schemes promoted by the prophet.

One church member told investigators that Ajuluchukwucheya claimed he was unable to access the purported N33 billion lottery winnings because of spiritual opposition.

According to the witness, members were instructed to purchase what the prophet described as “Holy Ghost Thunder” to help combat a supposed spiritual army preventing the release of the funds.

The witness alleged that each “Holy Ghost Thunder” item was sold for N38,000 and that members were encouraged to buy large quantities of the product.

 The complainant claimed that some congregants collectively purchased up to 1,000 units in the belief that doing so would help secure the release of the lottery winnings and eventually yield financial rewards.

Investigators further discovered that the suspect allegedly operated a pattern of selling various spiritual products to members, including miracle stickers, spiritual dragons and Holy Ghost Thunder, while promising prosperity, breakthroughs and solutions to personal problems.

Another alleged victim told the EFCC that he purchased the Holy Ghost Thunder product after being assured it would solve his challenges.

However, he said the promised results never materialised despite the payments he made.

The anti-graft agency stated that complaints received so far indicate that members of the ministry collectively lost N70.39 million to the alleged schemes.

The EFCC said investigations are ongoing and assured that Ajuluchukwucheya would be arraigned before a competent court upon the conclusion of its inquiry.

A statement on Wednesday by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, confirmed the development, noting that the commission remains committed to protecting citizens from fraudulent schemes disguised as religious or investment opportunities.