A prosecution witness on Wednesday narrated before a Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, how he allegedly lost ₦3.9 million to what prosecutors describe as a fraudulent investment scheme operated under the name Fadama Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
The witness, Dajok Dakung Godfrey, appeared as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing trial of Okewole Dayo and Bishop Jonas Katung before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya.
Bishop Katung is the General Overseer of Living Stone Assembly International, also known as Maranatha Covenant Churches International, Jos.
The defendants are facing a 23-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence amounting to ₦178,885,000.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Ibrahim Buba, Godfrey, a 42-year-old civil servant, told the court that he became involved with the cooperative after watching a televised presentation in May 2010.
“I got to know the defendant when he was making a presentation on television in May 2010,” he said. “Bishop Katung Jonas encouraged people to join the Covenant Fadama Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society. As a man of God, I believed what he was saying.”
He said he later visited the cooperative’s temporary office at the former NICON Insurance building, Secretariat Road, Jos, on June 4, 2010, where he purchased a registration form for ₦1,000 and made an initial deposit of ₦400,000.
Godfrey testified that he continued making contributions over time until his total investment reached ₦3.9 million.
“They were paying 10 per cent interest every month until December 2011, when a message came that we should hold on,” he said. “After waiting until 2012 without payment, members began to raise an alarm.”
The witness told the court that the first defendant, Okewole Dayo, was introduced to members as the secretary and executive director of the cooperative, while Bishop Jonas Katung identified himself as the chairman or president of the organisation.
He further narrated that as complaints grew, a committee of cooperators met with the defendants at Lamond Hotel, Jos, where the accused persons assured members that the issue would soon be resolved.
“After the meeting, we left with hope,” he said. “But nothing came out of it.”
With no solution forthcoming, the cooperators engaged legal practitioner Solomon Dalung, who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on their behalf.
While testifying, Godfrey identified receipts issued to him by the cooperative as evidence of his payments. The documents, which bore his name and the amounts contributed, were admitted in court as Exhibit H.
He also told the court that beyond his investment, further deductions were made from members’ savings.
“One per cent was being removed from our money monthly to the tune of ₦261,000,” he said.
During cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, C.I. Nwogbo, Godfrey admitted that he did not make any payment directly to Dayo. He also confirmed that the televised broadcast that influenced his decision to invest did not mention any partner, adding that he only became aware of Dayo’s involvement when the crisis began.
He identified his written statement to the EFCC, dated August 14, 2014, which was admitted as Exhibit PW3A.
“It is my handwriting, and it is the truth,” he confirmed.
When shown the cooperative’s bylaws, admitted as Exhibit E, and asked whether Dayo’s name appeared as secretary, the witness said it did not. He maintained that his statement to investigators accurately reflected the events as he knew them.
“I did not instruct them on what to do with my money,” he added. “My complaint to the EFCC was to recover my money and to investigate.”
During cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant, G.G. Achi, Godfrey said he did not know Bishop Jonas personally before the investment scheme but knew him “as a man of God,” adding that although he had attended one of his services, he could not recall the date.
He confirmed seeing Bishop Jonas at the settlement meeting at Lamond Hotel but said no minutes were taken.
With no re-examination from the prosecution, Justice Ishaya adjourned the case to February 19, 2026, for continuation of trial.