Prophet Sunday Koboko Faces EFCC Probe Over N70.3m Church Member Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an inquiry into a self-proclaimed cleric, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, widely known as Prophet Sunday Koboko. He is facing accusations of defrauding congregants of his ministry of a staggering N70.39 million. The anti-corruption body made this announcement via a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.

According to information from the EFCC, operatives from its Enugu Zonal Directorate are currently investigating claims that the suspect allegedly obtained funds from church members. These funds were reportedly acquired through various schemes, including promises of spiritual interventions and lucrative investment opportunities.

A key petitioner, identified as Okey Uwakwe, detailed how Ajuluchukwucheya allegedly collected N6.23 million from him. This sum was purportedly for spiritual rituals intended to convince his brother, who had resided overseas since 1997, to return to Nigeria. Uwakwe further claimed that the prophet received an additional N3.25 million for spiritual work designed to assist his sister-in-law in conceiving a child, following more than 15 years of childlessness.

The EFCC statement also highlighted Uwakwe's assertion that the cleric informed his ministry members about winning N33 billion in a lottery. He then allegedly encouraged them to contribute financially, assuring them of future dividends from these supposed winnings. The petitioner disclosed that he contributed an extra N3.35 million to this lottery scheme. Furthermore, he invested N500,000 into a rice-processing business that the suspect reportedly claimed was valued at N1 billion.

Overall, Uwakwe stated that he paid a total of N13.33 million to Prophet Sunday Koboko without receiving any promised benefits. The commission noted that during the course of their investigation, numerous other members of the ministry came forward with similar allegations against the prophet.

Some congregants alleged that the suspect engaged in selling items he branded as "holy ghost thunder," "miracle stickers," and "spiritual dragons." These items were reportedly sold with promises of prosperity and solutions to various personal challenges. One of the victims recounted their experience to the EFCC, stating, “he asked me to do what they tagged holy ghost thunder, believing it was going to solve my problems, I bought it and after all the payments, nothing happened and my problems still persisted.”

The EFCC confirmed that the cumulative sum allegedly collected from members of the ministry stands at N70.39 million. The commission concluded by stating that investigations are currently ongoing, and the suspect will be arraigned in court once these inquiries are concluded.