A Federal Court in the United States, U.S., has sentenced a Nigerian Lady, Dr. Nkechy Ezeh, Founder and former CEO of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, ELNC, to 70 months imprisonment in Michigan.

Ezeh had in 2025 pleaded guilty of wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion and was convicted, accordingly.

She was convicted for masterminding a fraud scheme which diverted $1.4 million fund for impoverished preschool children in underserved communities.

According to Agency Report, Ezeh conspired with the bookkeeper of her organization to forge invoices and created ghost daycare entities, to divert funds from vulnerable children between 2017 and 2023.

Besides the 70 months imprisonment, the court ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the victims, including additional $390,174 to the IRS for unpaid taxes.