Fake prophet jailed over N136.4m fraud, assets forfeited

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of self-acclaimed prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, for defrauding church members of N136.4 million through false pretences.

The conviction was secured before Justice H.O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, where the defendant pleaded guilty to a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

According to the EFCC, Ajuluchukwucheya deceived members of his church between 2023 and February 2025 by claiming he had won N30 billion in a Baba Ijebu lottery and promising investors in his scheme huge returns based on their contributions.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecution urged the court to convict him, a request the court granted.

Justice Eya sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his landed property in Enugu to the Federal Government through the EFCC, directing that the property be sold and the proceeds used to compensate victims.

The EFCC said investigations began after a petition by one of the victims, Mrs. Ngene Nkiruka Jane, who alleged that the convict collected N6.7 million from her after claiming he could raise her late husband from the dead and promising returns through an investment scheme.

Another petitioner, Okey Uwakwe, alleged that the fake cleric collected N6.23 million from him after claiming he could spiritually influence his brother, who had been abroad since 1997, to return home.

The anti-graft agency said more victims later came forward during investigations, alleging that the convict defrauded them through similar schemes.

Investigators also discovered that Ajuluchukwucheya sold so-called spiritual items, including “miracle stickers,” “spiritual dragon,” and “Holy Ghost Thunder,” while promising prosperity and supernatural breakthroughs to members of his ministry.

The EFCC said the conviction reflects its continued efforts to prosecute financial crimes and secure restitution for victims of fraud.