Financial crimes agency investigates alleged fake cleric over claims of swindling congregation out of N70.3m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has initiated a probe into Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, also known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, following accusations that he swindled members of his ministry out of N70.39 million.

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According to the EFCC, its Enugu Zonal Directorate is investigating multiple petitions filed against the self-acclaimed prophet, with operatives examining various claims of fraudulent activities.

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Allegations against Ajuluchukwucheya include obtaining money from church members through promises of spiritual interventions and investment opportunities, as well as other schemes.

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Okey Uwakwe, one of the petitioners, claims to have given the prophet N6.23 million for spiritual works intended to convince his brother, who has been living abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria.

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Uwakwe also alleges that he paid an additional N3.25 million to the cleric for spiritual exercises aimed at helping his childless sister-in-law conceive after more than 15 years without a child.

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The EFCC further alleges that Ajuluchukwucheya told his ministry members that he had won a N33 billion lottery, encouraging them to invest with promises of dividends from the purported winnings.

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Uwakwe reportedly contributed an additional N3.35 million to this scheme and paid another N500,000 towards a rice-processing business that the cleric allegedly valued at N1 billion.

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The petitioner claims to have paid a total of N13.33 million to the suspect without receiving any benefits in return.

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Several other ministry members have come forward with similar complaints during the course of the investigation, according to the anti-graft agency.

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Some complainants allege that the suspect sold items described as "holy ghost thunder", "miracle stickers", and "spiritual dragons", promising prosperity and solutions to personal challenges.

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One alleged victim is quoted as saying, "He asked me to do what they tagged 'holy ghost thunder', believing it was going to solve my problems.

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I bought it, and after all the payments, nothing happened, and my problems still persisted," the victim added.

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Preliminary findings indicate that the total amount allegedly collected from ministry members stands at N70.39 million, according to the EFCC.

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The commission stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon their conclusion.