Korede Abdullah 
LAFIA, Nigeria – A Federal High Court orders the permanent forfeiture of multiple properties linked to a pastor accused of orchestrating a multi-billion-naira fraud scheme, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency says.
Justice M.O. Olajuwon on Thursday ruled that assets traced to Theophilus Ebonyi, founder of Faith on The Rock Ministry International, are proceeds of unlawful activity and must be surrendered to the federal government.
The ruling follows an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which says the cleric failed to justify ownership of the assets.
“The respondent did not show cause why the properties should not be forfeited,” the court holds.
Assets seized include a 23-room hotel, event centre, school, warehouse, sachet water factory and multiple office buildings across Nasarawa State, alongside funds recovered from bank accounts.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale says the properties were linked to proceeds of a Ponzi scheme promoted through a foundation associated with Ebonyi.
“He misled individuals into paying participation fees under false pretences,” Oyewale says.
The commission says victims were told an international foundation was offering a $20 billion poverty alleviation grant — a claim authorities confirm as false.
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Chukwu Obinna 
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwafunbi Bello 