Nigerian Professor Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years in U.S. Prison Over $1.4 Million School Fraud Scheme**
A Nigerian-born professor and nonprofit founder, Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to 70 months in a U.S. federal prison for orchestrating a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving funds meant for disadvantaged preschool children in Michigan. Prosecutors said she diverted taxpayer and donor money for personal expenses, luxury trips, and payments to relatives. The fraud led to the collapse of her nonprofit, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), and the loss of jobs and support services for vulnerable children. She was also ordered to repay over $1.7 million in restitution and taxes.
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Nigerian-Born Professor Jailed Nearly Six Years in U.S. Over $1.4 Million Preschool Fraud Scheme
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 multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving funds meant for vulnerable preschool children in underserved communities.
Ezeh received a 70-month prison sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou after being found guilty of orchestrating a $1.4 million fraud involving the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), a nonprofit organization she founded in Michigan. She was also handed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Ezeh diverted taxpayer and donor funds intended to provide meals, transportation, advocacy, and educational support services for low-income preschool children.
During sentencing, Judge Jarbou strongly condemned Ezeh’s actions, describing her as “a fraud and a thief,” while characterizing the scheme as “brazen and widespread.”
The court ordered Ezeh to repay $1.4 million to the victims of the fraud and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She was immediately remanded into federal custody following the ruling.
Reacting to the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said Ezeh’s conduct represented a devastating betrayal of public trust.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.
“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.”
Before her conviction, Ezeh was a highly respected figure in Michigan’s education and nonprofit sectors. In 2018, she was named West Michigan Woman of the Year and also served twice on the Executive Committee of the state’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation. She additionally held tenure as a professor of education.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Ezeh used the stolen funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including paying for a family member’s wedding and funding trips to Hawaii, Europe, and Africa. Authorities also disclosed that she placed relatives on a ghost payroll and used money mules to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to family members in Nigeria.
The fallout from the fraud was severe. ELNC shut down operations in 2023, abruptly ending critical support services for disadvantaged children and leaving 35 employees without jobs.
Ezeh’s former bookkeeper and co-conspirator, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
Speaking on the case, Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ethridge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said the prosecution sends a strong message about the misuse of public funds.
“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 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.
