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U.S. Court Sentences Nigerian-Born Professor to Prison for Diverting Preschool Funds
A Nigerian-born education professor and former nonprofit executive in Michigan, Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for masterminding a $1.
Ezeh received a 70-month federal prison sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou. 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 meant for low-income children through the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), a nonprofit organization she founded. The group provided meals, transportation, advocacy, and other services to preschool children in disadvantaged communities.
During sentencing, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” noting that the scheme was “brazen and widespread.”
The court further ordered Ezeh to repay $1.4 million to the victims and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service. She was remanded in prison immediately after sentencing.
Reacting to the judgment, U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey condemned Ezeh’s conduct, saying her greed was “beyond reprehensible.”
“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,” VerHey stated. “The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families.”
Before her conviction, Ezeh was a respected figure in Michigan. She was named West Michigan Woman of the Year in 2018, served twice on the state’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee, and held tenure as a professor of education.
Prosecutors revealed that Ezeh used the stolen funds to finance her personal lifestyle, cover expenses for a family member’s wedding, and travel to Hawaii, Europe, and Africa. Authorities also said she placed relatives on a ghost payroll and used money mules to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to family members in Nigeria.
The fraud scheme led to the shutdown of ELNC in 2023, resulting in the loss of support services for vulnerable children and the sudden dismissal of 35 employees.
Ezeh’s former bookkeeper and co-conspirator, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in prison for her involvement in the fraud.
Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ethridge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said the case highlights the government’s resolve to safeguard public funds.
“This case underscores the seriousness of misusing federal grant funds for personal gain,” Ethridge said.
“Our commitment to protecting the integrity of HHS programs remains steadfast.”
The case was investigated by HHS-OIG and IRS Criminal Investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler prosecuted the matter. (Vanguard)
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