A U.S.-based Nigerian education advocate, Dr. Nkechy Ezeh, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud a government-funded nonprofit organisation of over $1.4 million, alongside charges of tax evasion.
Ezeh, a former Executive Director of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) and an Associate Professor of Education, entered the guilty plea at a U.S. District Court in Michigan. Court filings revealed that between 2017 and 2023, she conspired with ELNC’s Director of Finance and Administration, Sharon Killebrew, and others to siphon funds from the organisation.
According to prosecutors, Killebrew generated and approved fake invoices at Ezeh’s instruction, creating approximately $470,100 worth of fraudulent bills for services and supplies that were never provided. Investigators said part of the money went to Killebrew, while the remaining funds were transferred to Ezeh, her consulting firm (PONA Consulting), and other linked individuals.
Court documents further disclosed that Ezeh concealed key conflicts of interest by failing to reveal her involvement with the Early Years Coalition (EYC), an entity that received over $227,000 in grants despite not operating any preschool services. She reportedly ensured EYC paid out $212,658.84 for non-existent work.
In another revelation, Ezeh admitted establishing Global Open Learning and Development Preschools (GOLD) using stolen identities and without securing lawful tax-exempt status. Beyond the fraud scheme, she also failed to pay federal income taxes on proceeds from the crime, with estimated unpaid taxes amounting to $390,174.
Under her plea agreement, Ezeh has consented to forfeit $1,193,900 and fully repay ELNC and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while tax evasion attracts up to five years. Sentencing proceedings are expected to follow.
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