EFCC Arrests Church Leader for Alleged N1.3 Billion Fraudulent Grants, Money Laundering
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission has detained Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi on charges of swindling his congregation and others with counterfeit grants purportedly from the Ford Foundation, totaling over N1.3 billion.
In a statement released on Monday, the EFCC disclosed that the Faith On The Rock Ministry International’s leader is accused of deceiving individuals by promoting a non-existent intervention scheme through his NGO, Theobarth Global Foundation.
He falsely claimed that the Ford Foundation was distributing a $20 billion grant to help the underprivileged.
According to the EFCC, Ebonyi lured his victims into paying N1,800,000 each for registration forms and membership in beneficiary groups, fraudulently amassing N1,391,040,274.31 from unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs nationwide.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that there was no collaboration or grant agreement between the Ford Foundation and Ebonyi or his NGO. The Foundation explicitly denied any association with him. Additionally, the EFCC has identified five properties acquired with the proceeds from his fraudulent activities.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Ebonyi reportedly continues to promote his fictitious Ford Foundation grant on social media. He will face legal action upon the conclusion of the investigation.
