The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched an investigation into a self-styled prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over allegations that he defrauded members of his ministry of more than N70 million through various schemes.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement issued, revealing that operatives of its Enugu Zonal Directorate were examining complaints against the cleric.
According to the commission, the suspect allegedly obtained funds from worshippers by promising spiritual solutions to personal challenges as well as returns on purported investment opportunities.
One of the complainants, Okey Uwakwe, alleged that he paid the cleric N6.23 million to carry out spiritual exercises intended to persuade his brother, who had been living overseas since 1997, to return to Nigeria.
Uwakwe further claimed that he parted with another N3.25 million after the cleric allegedly promised to perform spiritual interventions to help his sister-in-law conceive after more than 15 years of childlessness.
The EFCC also stated that the suspect allegedly informed members of his congregation that he had won a N33 billion lottery and encouraged them to contribute money with assurances that they would benefit financially from the supposed winnings.
Based on the petitioner’s account, he invested an additional N3.35 million in the scheme and contributed N500,000 towards a rice-processing venture the cleric reportedly claimed was valued at N1 billion.
The commission said the complainant estimated his total financial commitment to the suspect at N13.33 million without receiving any of the promised benefits.
The EFCC disclosed that further investigations attracted additional complaints from other members of the ministry, many of whom alleged they were persuaded to purchase items described as “Holy Ghost Thunder,” “miracle stickers,” and “spiritual dragons,” which were promoted as solutions to financial, health and personal challenges.
Quoting one of the alleged victims, the commission said the individual purchased the items in the belief that they would resolve lingering problems but claimed that no positive outcome was achieved despite making several payments.
According to the EFCC, preliminary findings indicate that the total amount allegedly collected from members of the ministry stands at N70.39 million.
The commission said investigations were ongoing and assured that appropriate legal action would be taken once the probe is concluded.