Cleric Sentenced for Fraudulent Investments
Godwin Sunday Adjuruchukwucheya, known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Enugu State High Court for defrauding his ministry members of approximately 136.4 million Norwegian Francs through fraudulent investment schemes and deceitful spiritual claims.
Justice HO Eya delivered the sentence, after Adjuruchukwucheya pleaded guilty to two charges related to false acquisition and theft. The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from its Enugu Regional Directorate.
The EFCC informed the court that between 2023 and February 2025, Adjuruchukwucheya conned unsuspecting church members out of 136,436,000 Naira by falsely asserting that he had won 30 billion Naira from the Baba Ijebu Lottery. He promised substantial returns to investors lured by these claims.
Among the allegations were claims that he extorted money from church members under the false pretense of lottery winnings. This fraudulent act violates Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Payment Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act of 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Following the guilty plea, EFCC lawyer Rotimi Ajobiewe urged the court to impose a suitable sentence on the cleric. Consequently, Justice Eya sentenced Adjuruchukwucheya to one year in prison, with an alternative fine of 500,000 Naira.
Additonally, the court mandated the forfeiture of his land, associated with a customary occupancy certificate dated July 25, 1989, as recorded in the Enugu Land Registry. The property will be sold, with the proceeds allocated to compensate the victims of his fraudulent activities.
The investigation by the EFCC began after a complaint from one of the victims, who identified herself as Mrs. Ngene Nkiluka Jane. She claimed that Adjuruchukwucheya posed as a genuine spiritual leader, allegedly convincing her he possessed the power to resurrect her deceased husband. Jane reported spending 6.7 million Naira on supposed resuscitation services and investment schemes.
Another victim, Mr. Okey Uwakwe, revealed that the cleric had promised to spiritually bring back his brother, who had traveled abroad in 1997, for which he paid 6.23 million Naira. The EFCC noted that the investigation uncovered a broader pattern of deceptive practices surrounding false prophecies and dubious investment opportunities. Other church officials came forward with similar grievances, further exposing the alleged fraud.
The EFCC stated that the conviction of Adjuruchukwucheya underscores its dedication to investigating and prosecuting those who manipulate religious faith and public trust for personal gain, thereby targeting unsuspecting individuals across Nigeria.
