Nigerian Professor Jailed 70 Months in US Over $1.4m Fraud

Nigerian Professor Jailed 70 Months in US Over $1.4m Fraud

A Nigerian-born education professor and former nonprofit executive in the United States, Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for masterminding a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving funds meant to support vulnerable preschool children in underserved communities in Michigan.

Ezeh was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment by Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. She also received a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion linked to the fraud proceeds.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Ezeh diverted taxpayer and donor funds through the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), a nonprofit organisation she founded to provide meals, transportation, advocacy and other support services for low-income preschool children and their families.

At sentencing, Judge Jarbou delivered a scathing assessment of the former professor’s conduct, describing her as “a fraud and a thief” and characterising the scheme as “brazen and widespread.”

The court ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to victims and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service. She was also remanded into custody immediately after sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey condemned the fraud, saying Ezeh prioritised personal luxury over the welfare of vulnerable children.

“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.

READ ALSO:

• Why South-East Won’t Support Peter Obi’s One-Term Presidency Proposal — Ikonne
• Presidency Attacks Peter Obi Over ‘One-Term’ Promise, Questions His Political Loyalty
• Peter Obi Vows to Quit Presidency After One Term if Elected in 2027

“She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself. The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families.”

Federal prosecutors said Ezeh used the stolen funds to finance an extravagant lifestyle, including luxury travel to Hawaii, Europe and several African countries, as well as expenses related to a family member’s wedding.

Investigators further revealed that she placed relatives on a ghost payroll and used intermediaries to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to family members in Nigeria.

Authorities said the fraudulent activities eventually forced ELNC to shut down operations in 2023, abruptly ending critical support services for disadvantaged children and leading to the loss of jobs for 35 employees.

Before her conviction, Ezeh was a respected figure in Michigan’s education and nonprofit sectors. She was named West Michigan Woman of the Year in 2018, served twice on the Executive Committee of Michigan’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation and held tenure as a professor of education.

Her fall from prominence has generated significant attention within both academic and Nigerian diaspora communities in the United States.

Ezeh’s former bookkeeper and co-conspirator, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in prison for participating in the fraud.

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ethridge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said the case reflects the government’s determination to safeguard public funds intended for social welfare programmes.

“This case underscores the seriousness of misusing federal grant funds for personal gain,” Ethridge stated.

“Our commitment to protecting the integrity of HHS programs remains steadfast.”

The case was jointly investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler led the prosecution.

Legal analysts say the conviction highlights increasing scrutiny by U.S. authorities on fraud involving nonprofit organisations, federal grants and public education programmes.

Nigerian Professor Jailed 70 Months in US Over $1.4m Fraud