Fake Prophet Jailed Over N136.4m Fraud in Enugu

Fake Prophet Jailed Over N136.4m Fraud in Enugu

A self-styled prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, has been convicted and sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding members of his ministry of N136.4 million.

The conviction was secured by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice H. O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout.

Ajuluchukwucheya was arraigned on a two-count charge involving obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. The offences were said to have been committed between 2023 and February 2025 in Enugu State.

According to the EFCC, the convict collected N136,436,000 from unsuspecting church members after allegedly making false claims about a N30 billion Baba Ijebu lottery win and promoting an investment scheme that he promised would pay returns based on the amount invested.

He pleaded guilty to the charges after they were read to him in court.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with the law.

Justice Eya subsequently found Ajuluchukwucheya guilty and sentenced him to one year in prison, with an option of a N500,000 fine.

The court further ordered the forfeiture of a landed property belonging to the convict 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 came to the attention of the EFCC following a petition from Mrs Ngene Nkiruka Jane, who alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya used his position as a religious leader to deceive her.

According to her complaint, the self-styled prophet claimed he could bring her late husband back to life and also persuaded her to participate in an investment arrangement.

She reportedly paid a total of N6.7 million in connection with the alleged resurrection and investment scheme.

Another petitioner, Okey Uwakwe, told investigators that Ajuluchukwucheya claimed he possessed the spiritual ability to make his brother, who had travelled abroad in 1997, return home. Uwakwe alleged that he paid N6.23 million for spiritual services.

As the EFCC investigation progressed, more members of the ministry reportedly came forward with similar allegations of financial exploitation.

Investigators also discovered that the convict allegedly encouraged members to purchase items he promoted as spiritual products for prosperity.

These reportedly included products described as “miracle sticker,” “spiritual dragon” and “Holy Ghost thunder.”

The case has once again drawn attention to the dangers of placing blind trust in individuals who use religious claims and promises of supernatural intervention to exploit vulnerable people.