A U.S. district court in Michigan has sentenced Nigerian professor, Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months in federal prison for masterminding a $1.4 million fra¥d scheme involving funds meant for vulnerable preschool children.
According to U.S. authorities, Ezeh — former Executive Director of Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC) — diverted donor and government funds intended to support underserved children with meals, transportation, and educational assistance.
Judge Hala Jarbou described her actions as “brazen and widespread,” stating that money meant for “the most vulnerable children” was stolen for personal gain.
Court documents revealed that Ezeh pleaded guilty in December 2025 to wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion. She admitted working with co-conspirators between 2017 and 2023 to steal approximately $1.4 million from the nonprofit organisation.
The court also ordered her to repay the full $1.4 million and an additional $390,174 to the IRS for tax evasion.
Authorities said the fraud forced ELNC to shut down in 2023, leading to the loss of preschool funding in West Michigan and the sudden layoff of 35 employees.
Her co-conspirator, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months in prison for her involvement in the scheme.
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