Nigerian ex-Professor jailed in US over $1.4m fraud

A United States federal court has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, Nigerian-born former nonprofit executive, to 70 months in prison for masterminding a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving taxpayer and donor funds earmarked for vulnerable preschool children in low-income communities.

The sentence was handed down by Hala Jarbou, Chief U.S. District Judge and announced on Wednesday by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

In addition to the 70-month prison term for fraud-related offences, the court imposed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.

Ezeh was also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution and an additional $390,174 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Ezeh, 61, who resides in Kent County, Michigan, founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit organisation that provided early childhood education and support services in underserved communities across West Michigan.

She also previously worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Early Childhood Education Programme at Aquinas College.

The court immediately remanded her into federal custody following sentencing.

During the proceedings, Jarbou delivered a scathing assessment of Ezeh’s conduct, describing her as “a fraud and a thief” and characterising the scheme as “brazen and widespread.”

The judge noted that the diverted funds were originally intended to support some of the region’s most vulnerable children.

Reacting to the judgment, Timothy VerHey,, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, condemned Ezeh’s actions, accusing her of enriching herself with public and donor funds meant for disadvantaged families.

“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible.

“She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself.

“The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families. Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate,” VerHey said.

Court filings revealed that Ezeh used the misappropriated funds to bankroll luxury and personal expenses, including trips to Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as expenses connected to a family wedding.

Prosecutors further disclosed that she placed relatives on what investigators described as a “ghost payroll,” enabling family members to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars despite allegedly performing little or no legitimate work for the organisation.

Authorities also accused her of using intermediaries to funnel stolen funds to relatives in Nigeria.

The Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative received funding from multiple U.S. federal programmes, including Head Start and the Department of Education, in addition to contributions from private donors.

The organisation provided meals, transportation and other support services to preschool children and families in economically disadvantaged communities.

Following the exposure of the fraud scheme, the nonprofit shut down operations in 2023, triggering the loss of funding for several preschools and resulting in the dismissal of 35 employees.

Investigators said the collapse of the organisation disrupted critical services relied upon by many low-income families in West Michigan.

Meanwhile, Sharon Killebrew, a former bookkeeper at the nonprofit who was identified as a co-conspirator, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months in prison for her role in the fraud.

U.S. authorities said the case underscored the devastating consequences of abusing federal grant programmes and donor funds intended to support vulnerable communities, especially children in low-income neighbourhoods.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alongside the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation unit, while Clay Stiffler, Assistant U.S. Attorney handled the prosecution.