The suspect, who presents himself as a clergyman and “Prophet of the Most High God,” reportedly operated through his companies, Global Tours and Partyride LLC, offering a so-called “Passport Intervention Program.” A flyer advertising his services listed a phone number, +1(682) 717-3360, which was unreachable at the time of reporting. Messages sent to his Facebook Messenger also went unanswered. Nigeria’s Interior Ministry confirmed that it is actively reviewing complaints and investigating the case.
NIS Denounces Fraudulent Activities
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has explicitly disowned the suspect and any association with his operations. A senior NIS official on condition of anonymity, confirmed that KO is neither a staff member nor an approved vendor.
The official explained the difficulty in tracking him, noting that KO has reportedly discarded his known phone lines and vacated the address he provided to victims. He also cited a recurring issue among Nigerians: the tendency to seek “quick fixes” even when legitimate, streamlined processes exist.
“Most of our processes are digitized. Payments can be made online after filling the necessary forms. Many Nigerians, including those resident in Nigeria, have used this option. It is simple—do it yourself by visiting our website and following the prompts,” the official said.
The NIS is preparing a new awareness campaign to inform citizens that passport and e-visa services are largely online. No immigration personnel collect payments from applicants directly.
The official further clarified that KO is a community leader in Atlanta who allegedly took advantage of his position to gain trust. “He apparently facilitated online payments for a few individuals to gain their confidence, then absconded with the money of others. If they had paid online themselves and could provide evidence of payment, we could have issued their passports. It is unfortunate that he tried to involve the Service in this scam. We do not have agents. Do not pay anyone claiming to act on our behalf—everything should be done online.”
Victims Reveal Their Ordeal
Victims claim KO exploited the credibility of the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta by promoting his services as if government-sanctioned. Fees reportedly ranged from $500 to over $800 for passport booklets and renewal services that were never delivered.
“I paid for my passport and I never got it,” said Tobi Jaji in a Facebook comment exposing the cleric. Another complainant, Isaac Olorunisola, described KO as a “scammer of the highest order” and said he “has soiled the name of pastors across the world.”
Reports indicate that KO disappeared after collecting payments as far back as October 2024, evading efforts to serve him with court documents in Arlington, Texas. Victims are left without recourse, citing unresponsiveness from the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta.
“I reported him to the embassy in Atlanta because he advertised under the auspices of the consulate. Of course, the Nigerian office didn’t respond,” one victim said. Others described communication with the consulate as “horrible,” noting that calls go unanswered and messages ignored, leaving citizens vulnerable to fraudulent operators.
Adding to his perceived legitimacy, KO allegedly made appearances on major Nigerian television networks to promote his business interests.
Legal and Community Response
Some victims have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and attempted legal action in the U.S., though many expressed frustration at the lack of support from both Nigerian authorities and local law enforcement.
“Police will tell you there are more serious cases they have to deal with,” one victim noted, while another feared that reporting the issue through Nigerian channels might be dismissed as politically or ethnically motivated.
Despite these challenges, many victims remain hopeful that Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo will intervene, noting that the minister may have been unaware of the situation.
Lessons and Precautions
Authorities are stressing that Nigerians seeking passports or e-visas must use official online channels only. No individual, regardless of community standing or claimed affiliations, is authorized to collect fees on the government’s behalf.
The case underscores the importance of public awareness campaigns, especially in diaspora communities, to prevent exploitation by individuals posing as intermediaries. It also highlights the risks of misinformation and the need for citizens to rely on verified, digital government processes.
For Nigerians in the U.S. and abroad, the message is clear: avoid “agents” or “intervention programs” promising expedited services. Follow official NIS procedures online to protect both money and personal information.