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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a self-acclaimed prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over allegations that he defrauded members of his ministry of more than N70 million through various purported spiritual and investment schemes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, June 17, stating that operatives of its Enugu Zonal Directorate are probing the activities of the cleric following multiple complaints from alleged victims.

According to the EFCC, one of the petitioners, Okey Uwakwe, accused the suspect of exploiting the trust of church members by presenting himself as a genuine man of God with supernatural powers.

Uwakwe alleged that the cleric collected N6.23 million from him for spiritual interventions aimed at persuading his brother, who had lived abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria.

The petitioner further claimed that the prophet received another N3.25 million on the promise of helping his sister-in-law conceive after over 15 years of childlessness.

The EFCC said Uwakwe also alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya announced to members of his congregation that he had won a N33 billion lottery jackpot and encouraged them to make financial contributions with assurances that they would receive dividends from the winnings.

Based on that representation, the petitioner reportedly contributed N3.35 million.

In another alleged scheme, church members were reportedly invited to invest in a proposed rice processing venture said to be worth N1 billion. Uwakwe claimed he contributed N500,000 to the project.

According to the commission, the petitioner said he paid a total of N13.33 million to the cleric without receiving any of the promised benefits.

The EFCC said more members of the ministry subsequently came forward with similar allegations as investigations progressed.

One of the complainants alleged that the suspect convinced members to contribute money towards securing access to his purported N33 billion lottery winnings.

The victim claimed the cleric told congregants that the money could not be released because of spiritual opposition and urged them to purchase what he described as “holy ghost thunder” to overcome the challenge.

According to the witness, each “holy ghost thunder” item was sold for N38,000, while members were encouraged to buy as many as possible.

Investigators also alleged that the suspect marketed various spiritual products, including miracle stickers, spiritual dragons and holy ghost thunder, promising prosperity and solutions to personal challenges.

Another victim told investigators that despite making payments for the spiritual items, there was no improvement in his situation.

The EFCC said the total amount allegedly collected from members of the ministry stands at N70.39 million.

The commission added that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon their conclusion.

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Popular chef and restaurateur, Hilda Baci, has become the first Nigerian to be recognised as a Guinness World Records (GWR) Icon, earning global recognition for her influence on record-breaking culture and her role in inspiring thousands of Guinness World Records attempts across Nigeria.

Guinness World Records announced the honour on Thursday, describing Baci as a multiple record-holder whose achievements have extended beyond setting records to creating a lasting impact worldwide.

The GWR Icon title is reserved for individuals, groups and globally influential figures whose accomplishments transcend record-breaking and leave a significant mark on the international stage.

Baci holds multiple Guinness World Records, including the longest individual cooking marathon, which she achieved in May 2023. She also set two mass-cooking records in September 2025.

In a video released by Guinness World Records, the celebrity chef became emotional while speaking about her journey from attempting her first record to receiving the prestigious recognition.

“I don’t know what to say… we started a movement. I did this. I don’t want to cry. It feels really good to know that things like this can happen to people like me,” she said.

Baci said she had confidence in her vision but never imagined the impact it would eventually have.

“I had so much faith in what I was doing, I never saw how far it could go, I never saw how much impact it would make, I definitely did not think there would come a time I would not have one but three… and now being named a Guinness World Record Icon. I am so grateful to God. This is for Nigeria, this is for all of us.”

Guinness World Records said record-breaking achievements often represent more than numbers, noting that they can showcase ambition, determination and belief in oneself.

The organisation highlighted Baci’s rise from assisting at her mother’s restaurant in Abuja during her primary school years to becoming one of the country’s most prominent culinary personalities.

Before establishing herself as a chef, she studied sociology and explored opportunities in television and acting. She later turned to professional cooking in 2020 and launched her restaurant business.

According to Guinness World Records, her cook-a-thon in Lagos from May 11 to 15, 2023, became a landmark moment that captured global attention. During the attempt, she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes, attracting large crowds and a worldwide online audience through livestreams.

Although the record has since changed hands twice, Guinness World Records said Baci’s accomplishment had already transformed interest in record-breaking within Nigeria. The organisation disclosed that more than 1,500 applications were submitted from Nigeria within two months of her attempt, demonstrating the influence of her achievement.

Offering advice to future record challengers, Baci emphasised the importance of thorough preparation.

“Preparation is everything. Passion alone is not enough,” she said, adding that challengers need physical training, mental conditioning, proper documentation, a strong support team and a clear understanding of Guinness World Records guidelines.

Baci added another achievement to her record-breaking journey in September 2025 when she collaborated with Gino Nigeria to produce the largest serving of rice in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The meal weighed 8,780 kilograms and was prepared with 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, 164 kilograms of fresh goat meat and approximately 600 kilograms of her signature jollof pepper mix. More than 16,600 portions were later distributed.

Reflecting on the values that have shaped her career, Baci said, “Consistency beats talent. Systems beat hustle. And humility keeps you growing.”

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a social media ban for children under 15, joining a growing group of countries, including Australia, Britain, and Canada, to take similar measures.

Social media platforms will have to monitor and disable accounts created by under-15s or risk being blocked, a cabinet resolution said, giving them a 12-month transition period.

“The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years,” the official WAM news agency said, citing the cabinet resolution.

“Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms.”

Recall that after Australia began a world-first social media ban for under-16s in December, several countries have followed suit, including Britain, which announced its ban this week.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and several European countries have also cracked down on teen use of social media, although the UAE is the first in the Arab world.

The bans were inspired by concerns over mental health, cyber-bullying, and a lack of physical activity, as well as online predators and addictive behaviour.

Critics say they are hard to enforce, deprive kids of social connection, and can force undesirable behaviour into darker digital spaces where monitoring is difficult.

The UAE’s resolution is “closely aligned with leading global trends in digital child protection”, WAM said.

It bars children from “accessing the full features of (social media) platforms, including social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces”.

Children aged 15-16 are allowed to use social media, but with “enhanced protective measures” such as content restrictions and time limits on usage.

Bodies controlling media and telecommunications have “authority to take all necessary measures (against social media platforms) in the event of non-compliance”, WAM said.

These include “warning or partial or full blocking of platforms or the imposition of applicable administrative penalties”.

Parents and caregivers are also responsible for stopping children from using social media or getting around age checks, the resolution said, adding: “Parental consent shall not constitute a valid exemption.”

The UAE already has strict laws against spreading “rumours” on the internet. During the Middle East war, hundreds of people were arrested for sharing images of attacks.