The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the activities of 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 million through various spiritual and investment schemes.
Operatives of the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate commenced the probe following a petition accusing the cleric of obtaining money from worshippers under false pretences through promises of miracles, prosperity and investment opportunities.
According to the anti-graft agency, one of the petitioners, Okey Uwakwe, alleged that the suspect presented himself as a genuine man of God capable of persuading his brother, who had lived abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria.
Uwakwe claimed he paid the prophet N6.23 million for spiritual interventions aimed at achieving that objective.
The petitioner further alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya collected an additional N3.25 million after claiming he could help his sister-in-law conceive following over 15 years of childlessness.
In another alleged scheme, the suspect reportedly informed members of his church that he had won N33 billion in a lottery and promised contributors a share of the proceeds once the funds were released.
Believing the claim, Uwakwe allegedly contributed N3.35 million to the arrangement.
The petitioner also claimed he invested N500,000 in a purported rice-processing venture promoted by the cleric, who allegedly sought financial contributions from members to acquire a N1 billion rice processing machine.
Altogether, Uwakwe said he paid N13.33 million to the suspect without receiving any of the promised benefits.
The EFCC disclosed that as investigations progressed, several other members of the ministry came forward with similar allegations, claiming they had also been induced to part with large sums of money through various schemes.
One church member alleged that the cleric claimed he had won N33 billion through a lottery but could not access the money because of spiritual opposition allegedly mounted by lottery operators.
According to the member, congregants were encouraged to purchase what the prophet described as “Holy Ghost Thunder” to combat the supposed spiritual forces preventing the release of the funds.
The witness claimed each unit of the spiritual item was sold for N38,000 and that members were persuaded to purchase up to 1,000 units.
Others alleged they were encouraged to buy products such as miracle stickers, spiritual dragons and Holy Ghost Thunder with assurances that the items would bring prosperity and solve personal challenges.
One victim said despite making payments for the spiritual items, none of the promised results materialised.
The EFCC said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect’s alleged modus operandi involved convincing church members to purchase various spiritual products and invest in schemes tied to promises of wealth, miracles and supernatural breakthroughs.
According to the commission, complaints received so far suggest that members of the ministry collectively lost N70.39 million to the alleged fraudulent activities.
The anti-graft agency stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.
