US Court Jails Nigerian NGO Founder Over $1.4m Fraud
A United States federal court has sentenced Michigan-based nonprofit founder Dr Nkechy Ezeh to 70 months in prison for diverting $1.4 million meant for vulnerable preschool children.
The funds were linked to education and welfare programmes supporting low-income families.
The court said the money was meant for children under the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit funded by US federal agencies and private donors.
Ezeh was also given a separate 60-month sentence for tax evasion, which will run alongside her main jail term.
Judge Hala Y Jarbou described the fraud as widespread and ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution as well as over $390,000 to the US tax authorities.
She was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.
Investigators said the stolen funds were used for personal spending, including luxury trips, family expenses and a fake payroll system that funneled money to relatives.
The scheme also involved moving funds to family members in Nigeria, according to prosecutors.
The case led to the shutdown of ELNC in 2023, leaving dozens of staff unemployed and disrupting services for preschools in several communities.
Officials said the impact was felt most by low income children who depended on the programme for daily support.
