Pastor Arrested by EFCC for Alleged N1.3 Billion in False Grants

Apostle Theophilus Oloche

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested the General Overseer of Faith on the Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, for defrauding church members and other Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Apostle Theophilus Oloche, Ebonyi, the General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International.

He is charged with using fictitious grants totaling N1,319,040,274.31, allegedly from the Ford Foundation, to defraud his congregation and other Nigerians.

Ebonyi's arrest is related to claims that he defrauded victims, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private citizens, according to a statement made by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale.

Through his non-governmental organization, Theobarth Global Foundation, he purportedly advertised an intervention project by fabricating a claim that the Ford Foundation was providing a $20,000,000 grant to assist the underprivileged in society.

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It was revealed that Ebonyi promoted his fictitious grant, purportedly from the Ford Foundation, to his followers on a number of social media platforms.

According to the statement, Ebonyi “allegedly tricked his victims into becoming subscribers of the fraudulent grant by requesting payment for clusters and registration forms.”

“Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000. Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31. His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country.”

The Ford Foundation had no connection, grant, association, or business with Ebonyi, according to EFCC investigations.

The Foundation made it clear that thad no affiliation whatsoever with him or his organization.

The EFCC has also located five properties that Ebonyi obtained with the money he received from his illegal activities.

The anti-graft agency added that after the investigations are finished, the suspect would be charged in court.