Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Port Harcourt Zonal Office, have arrested a Pastor, James Ezekiel for
defrauding an unsuspecting victim the sum of N1,330,000 by deceiving him
to enlist as one of the “financiers” of a spurious contract in the sum
of N1,800,000,000.00.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, in a statement on
Thursday, said Ezekiel, a purported Presiding Pastor of One Touch Power
Ministry, Agudama, Epie, Bayelsa State, allegedly claimed to have won a
contract for the roofing of a church cathedral belonging to the
Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He reportedly put the contract sum as N1,8,000,000,000 and showed a contract award letter to his victim.
He also wooed his victim to collaborate with him as one of the “financiers” of the contract.
He allegedly promised the victim mouth-watering interests on his “investment.”
The statement added that troubles came for Ezekiel when the victim demanded a repayment of his money with the interests.
“EFCC’s investigations showed that Ezekiel delayed making payments to
his victim by deceiving him that he had been paid the sum of
N800,000,000.00 Eight Hundred Million Naira only) as mobilization fees
for the contract but could not access the funds because “his company’s
account had been frozen by the EFCC”.
“He also contrived a fake EFCC’s e-mail message notifying him of the
freezing of the account. The victim sensed foul play and petitioned the
EFCC.
“Further investigations showed that the Salvation Ministries did not
award any contract to Ezekiel and no transfer of N800,000,000.00 was
made into his company’s account.
“Besides, the e-mail address he ascribed to the EFCC does not belong
to the Commission. The suspect allegedly initiated the scam to
fraudulently obtain money from the petitioner and other unsuspecting
members of the public.”
The suspect is in the custody of the EFCC and would be charged to court soon.