The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Apostle Theophilus Ebonyi, the general overseer of Faith on the Rock Ministry International, over allegations of defrauding church members and other individuals. The pastor was reportedly arrested for using counterfeit grants, claiming to be from the Ford Foundation, amounting to N1,319,040,274.31.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Ebonyi allegedly deceived victims, including NGOs and individuals, by advertising a fake intervention project through his NGO, Theobarth Global Foundation. He purportedly convinced them that the Ford Foundation was providing a grant of $20 billion to aid the less privileged, urging them to pay for registration forms and clusters, each costing N1,800,000. This scheme resulted in Ebonyi allegedly accumulating N1,391,040,274.31.
Investigations revealed that the Ford Foundation had no association with Ebonyi, disclaimed any relationship with him and his NGO, and confirmed that they had no links. The EFCC has traced five properties acquired by Ebonyi as proceeds of his illicit activities. The pastor is expected to face charges in court once investigations are concluded.