The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody the leader of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Ebonyi, on charges of defrauding church members and others in Nigeria.
EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the pastor was arrested for allegedly using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of N1,319,040,274.31.
Oyewale stated that the pastor deceived individuals, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), by promoting an intervention project through his NGO, Theobarth Global Foundation. He claimed the Ford Foundation was offering a $20 billion grant to assist the less privileged, persuading victims to subscribe by paying for registration forms and clusters at N1,800,000 each.
“Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31. (One Billion Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Forty Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Naira, Thirty One Kobo).
“His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country,” he said.
Oyewale said that investigations by the EFCC showed that Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi.
“The Foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO, stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them.
“The Commission has also traced five properties he acquired as proceeds of his criminal dealings.
“Ebonyi is still reportedly reaching his subscribers on some social media platforms to market his spurious grant from Ford Foundation.
“He would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
