Fraud allegation: Pastor acquires property worth billions of naira with subscribers’ funds, says crimes commission
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that investigation revealed that the arrested General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi acquired properties running into billions of naira from proceeds of his fraudulent dealings with his subscribers.
Penpushing reports that agency explained that some of the illegally acquired properties by the cleric include a 23-room hotel, a pure water factory, two blocks of a Primary School and two bungalow office at Nyanya-Gwandara, New Karu and a five-bedroom duplex at Karsana, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said investigations equally showed that he set up a live broadcast channel with studio equipment for his Theobarth Global Foundation with the funds of his subscribers.
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that Ebonyi was arrested in 2023 by the anti-graft for allegedly defrauding his church members and other Nigerians using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of N1, 319,040,274.31.
The clergyman fraud activities extended to Non-Governmental Organisations,(NGOs) and individuals by advertising an intervention project through Theobarth Global Foundation claiming that the Ford Foundation was offering a grant of $20,000, 000. 000 to assist the less-privileged in the society.
Penpushing also reports the agency added that Ebonyi allegedly hoodwinked his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters, with each subscriber made to pay N1,800,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated that through this arrangement, the cleric allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31, from his innocent subscribers and unsuspecting Nigerians as well as Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) across the country.
Penpushing reports that the agency said investigations showed that Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi, and disclaimed him and his Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO)
The Ford Foundation emphasized and explained that it had no link whatsoever with the alleged Pastor., as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has also traced five properties he acquired as proceeds of his criminal dealings.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]
