US Court Sentences Nigerian Professor To 70 months in Prison Over $1.4 million Fraud

A United States district court in Michigan has sentenced Nigerian-born professor, Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months in prison over a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving funds meant for vulnerable preschool children.

According to US authorities, Ezeh, who founded the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative, orchestrated a large-scale fraud involving taxpayer and donor funds between 2017 and 2023.

The organisation received support from the US Department of Health, Department of Education and private donors to provide meals, transportation, advocacy and other services for children in underserved communities.

Delivering judgment, Judge Hala Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief” who carried out a “brazen and widespread” scheme that deprived vulnerable children of critical support.

The court also ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to victims and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service over tax-related offences.

She was also handed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
Ezeh had pleaded guilty in December 2025 to charges including wire fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion.

Authorities said the fraud eventually forced the non-profit organisation to shut down in 2023, leaving several West Michigan preschools without funding and causing 35 employees to lose their jobs without notice.

Her co-conspirator and former ELNC bookkeeper, Sharon Killebrew, was earlier sentenced to 54 months in prison in November 2025 for her role in the scheme.

Reacting to the judgment, US Attorney Timothy VerHey condemned the fraud, saying funds meant to support low-income children were diverted for personal use.