EFCC probes Prophet Sunday Koboko over allegations that ministry members lost N70.39m through spiritual interventions and investment schemes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday announced that it has commenced an investigation into self-acclaimed prophet Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over allegations that he defrauded members of his ministry of N70.39 million.

Also read: EFCC grills fraudulent prophet over N70 million church scam

The anti-graft agency disclosed the development in a statement issued through its official social media channels, stating that operatives of its Enugu Zonal Directorate are examining claims that the cleric obtained funds from worshippers through various spiritual programmes and investment-related promises.

According to the EFCC, one of the petitioners, Okey Uwakwe, alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya collected N6.23 million from him to carry out spiritual works intended to persuade his brother, who had been living abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria.

Uwakwe further claimed that the suspect received an additional N3.25 million to perform spiritual interventions aimed at helping his sister-in-law conceive after more than 15 years without a child.

The commission said the petitioner also alleged that the cleric informed members of his ministry that he had won a lottery valued at N33 billion and encouraged them to contribute financially with assurances that they would receive dividends from the purported winnings.

According to the EFCC, Uwakwe contributed a further N3.35 million to the alleged scheme and paid another N500,000 towards a rice-processing venture which the suspect reportedly claimed was worth N1 billion.

The petitioner alleged that he paid a total of N13.33 million to the suspect without receiving any of the promised benefits.

As part of the ongoing inquiry, the EFCC said several other members of the ministry have come forward with similar allegations, broadening the scope of the investigation.

Some worshippers reportedly alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya sold items described as “holy ghost thunder”, “miracle stickers” and “spiritual dragons”, claiming that the products would bring prosperity and solve personal challenges.

Quoting one of the alleged victims, the commission stated: “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 persisted.”

The EFCC said preliminary findings indicate that the total amount allegedly collected from members of the ministry stands at N70.39 million.

The case adds to a growing list of investigations involving allegations of fraudulent schemes disguised as spiritual services or investment opportunities.

In recent years, Nigerian law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned citizens against making financial commitments based on unverifiable promises of supernatural interventions or guaranteed returns on investments.

The EFCC noted that investigations remain ongoing and said Ajuluchukwucheya would be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established at the conclusion of the probe.