EFCC secures conviction of self-styled prophet over N136m fraud in Enugu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a self-acclaimed cleric, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over a fraud involving more than N136 million.
Ajuluchukwucheya was arraigned before Justice H. O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the offences are contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Act.
The defendant pleaded guilty to both charges during the proceedings.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II), Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Eya subsequently sentenced Ajuluchukwucheya to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s landed property to the Federal Government through the EFCC. The property, covered by a Customary Certificate of Occupancy dated July 25, 1989, is to be sold, with the proceeds used to compensate victims of the fraud.
The case stemmed from petitions filed by several victims.
One of the complainants, Mrs. Ngene Nkiruka Jane, told investigators that the convict convinced her he possessed supernatural powers to resurrect her late husband. She alleged that he also persuaded her to invest in a scheme promising financial returns, leading her to part with N6.7 million.
Another victim, Okey Uwakwe, alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya collected N6,231,400 from him after claiming he could spiritually influence his brother, who had travelled abroad in 1997, to return home.
The EFCC said its investigation attracted more complaints from members of the convict’s ministry, many of whom claimed they had also been deceived and financially exploited.
Investigators further discovered that the self-styled prophet allegedly operated the scheme by persuading followers to purchase various so-called spiritual items, including “Miracle Sticker,” “Spiritual Dragon,” “Holy Ghost Thunder,” and other products, under the promise of miracles, prosperity and divine intervention.