Court convicts self-acclaimed prophet for N136.4 million fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of Godwin Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, on Friday. He was sentenced to one year in prison by Justice H. O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court for defrauding his church members of N136.4 million.
The self-acclaimed prophet was prosecuted on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and stealing. According to Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman, the convict pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
How the fraud unfolded
Count one of the charges alleged that between 2023 and February 2025 in Enugu, Ajuluchukwucheya falsely announced to his church members that he had won N30 billion in a lotto game. He then asked them to contribute money to him, promising dividends from the supposed winnings. The offence contravenes Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
In addition to the prison term, the court imposed an option of N500,000 fine. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the convict's landed property, covered by a Customary Certificate of Occupancy dated 25 July 1989, registered as No. 92 at page 92 in Volume 512 of the Land Registry, Enugu. The property is to be sold, and the proceeds used as restitution for the victims.
Petitioners detail losses
Oyewale said the arrest and prosecution followed petitions from victims. During EFCC investigations, church members flooded the commission's Enugu office with complaints. One petitioner, Nkiruka Ngene, stated that the convict presented himself as a true man of God and lured her into believing he could raise her late husband from death. She also paid into a fraudulent scheme where members would benefit according to their investments, losing a total of N6.7 million.
Another petitioner, Okey Uwakwe, said Ajuluchukwucheya claimed he could lure his brother, who had travelled abroad since 1997, to return home. Uwakwe paid N6.2 million for spiritual works. The self-acclaimed prophet also deceived him into believing he could make his sister-in-law, childless for over 15 years, conceive, for which Uwakwe paid an additional N3.2 million.
EFCC investigation reveals modus operandi
Investigations showed that the convict's modus operandi involved luring church members into buying "prosperity products" such as "miracle stickers," "spiritual dragons," and "holy ghost thunder." The EFCC spokesman noted that the self-acclaimed prophet used his position to exploit the faith of his victims.
The conviction and sentence serve as a warning to individuals using religious deception to defraud the public. The EFCC continues to pursue cases of advance fee fraud and other financial crimes in Nigeria.
