The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, a cleric and General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, for allegedly defrauding individuals, including church members, using fake grants purportedly from the Ford Foundation, amounting to N1,319,040,274.31.
In a statement released on Monday, the EFCC disclosed that Ebonyi, operating through his NGO, Theobarth Global Foundation, deceived victims by advertising an intervention project, claiming that the Ford Foundation was providing a $20,000,000,000 grant to assist the less-privileged.
Victims were persuaded to subscribe as beneficiaries by paying for registration forms and clusters, each costing N1,800,000.
This scheme allowed Ebonyi to accumulate N1,391,040,274.31 from unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs nationwide.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that there was no connection between Ebonyi and the Ford Foundation, as the foundation explicitly disclaimed any association with him and his NGO.
The Commission has also traced five properties acquired by Ebonyi as proceeds of his fraudulent activities.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Ebonyi reportedly continues to reach out to subscribers on social media platforms to promote his fabricated grant from the Ford Foundation.
The EFCC stated that he will face charges in court once the investigations are concluded.