A self-acclaimed cleric, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, has been convicted by an Enugu State High Court for defrauding members of his ministry of over N136 million through a fake lottery jackpot and fraudulent investment scheme.
The court also ordered the forfeiture and sale of his property to compensate victims of the scam.
Justice H.O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, convicted the fake prophet after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing, filed by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC told the court that the convict deceived unsuspecting church members into paying a total of N136,436,000 between 2023 and February 2025 after falsely claiming he had won N30 billion in the Baba Ijebu lottery.
He allegedly promised worshippers huge dividends from an investment scheme supposedly backed by the non-existent lottery winnings.
One of the charges stated that the cleric fraudulently obtained the money from church members under the false pretence that investors would receive returns based on his claimed N30 billion lottery jackpot.
Following his guilty plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Rotimi Ajobiewe, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Eya sentenced Ajuluchukwucheya to one year imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of his landed property covered by a Customary Certificate of Occupancy dated July 25, 1989, directing that the property be sold and the proceeds used to compensate victims.
The EFCC said investigations began after a petition by Mrs. Ngene Nkiruka Jane, who alleged that the cleric convinced her he possessed supernatural powers to resurrect her late husband.
She reportedly paid him N6.7 million for the promised miracle and participation in the fraudulent investment scheme.
Another victim, Okey Uwakwe, also alleged that the fake prophet collected N6.23 million after promising to spiritually bring back his brother who travelled abroad in 1997 and never returned.
Investigators revealed that several other church members later came forward with similar complaints, accusing the convict of selling so-called prosperity items such as “miracle stickers,” “spiritual dragon,” and “holyghost thunder,” while promising miracles, divine breakthroughs and financial prosperity.
The anti-graft agency said the conviction demonstrates its resolve to prosecute individuals who exploit religion and the faith of innocent Nigerians for personal gain.
The commission also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid fraudulent schemes disguised as spiritual interventions or investment opportunities.
