US Court Jails Nigerian Professor Over $1.4m Fraud Scheme

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

The sentencing was handed down by Hala Jarbou, who described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief” whose actions amounted to a “brazen and widespread” theft of resources intended for disadvantaged children in West Michigan.

Ezeh, an associate professor of education and founder of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative, was accused of diverting funds provided by the US Department of Health, Department of Education and private donors for personal use.

According to a statement released by US authorities, the court also ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to victims of the fraud and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over tax-related offences.

The judge further imposed a concurrent 60-month prison sentence for tax evasion.

Ezeh had pleaded guilty in December 2025 to charges bordering on wire fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. Court documents revealed that between 2017 and 2023, she conspired with Sharon Killebrew and others to defraud the organisation of approximately $1.4 million.

Authorities said the financial misconduct forced ELNC to shut down operations in 2023, leaving several preschools in West Michigan without funding and depriving many low-income children of essential educational support and welfare services.

The collapse of the organisation also resulted in the sudden layoff of 35 employees without prior notice.

Killebrew, who served as the organisation’s bookkeeper, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in federal prison for her involvement in the scheme.

Reacting to the judgment, Timothy VerHey condemned Ezeh’s actions, saying the stolen funds could have transformed the lives of hundreds of children and families.

“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. Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate.”