A retired civil servant, Mr. Fasaki Olutayo Jacob, on Thursday, 16 October 2025, told the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, how he was allegedly deceived by Bishop Katung Jonas and his associate, Okewole Dayo, into investing in a fraudulent scheme that cost him ₦1.2 million.
Jacob, who testified before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya, said he was first introduced to Bishop Katung through a sermon aired on Plateau Radio and Television (PRTV). According to him, the Bishop’s message made him believe that the Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society—later discovered to be fake—was a genuine faith-based investment.
“I got to know Bishop Katung through Plateau TV, where I watched one of his sermons. The message he delivered that day made me believe Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society was real,” Jacob told the court.
He narrated that he later met the Bishop at his church, Maranata Church, Jos, where he was convinced to invest. Following the instructions of Dayo, the cooperative’s representative, Jacob deposited ₦1 million into Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank and later added ₦200,000.
Investors were promised a 10% monthly return, but payments abruptly stopped in 2012. When the situation worsened, Dayo held a meeting urging investors to remain patient, while Bishop Katung appeared on television reassuring them of payment that never came.
According to Jacob, the matter was reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which invited both defendants for questioning. During the reconciliation meeting, Bishop Katung presented a property document, promising to sell it and repay investors, but no refunds were made even after the sale.
Jacob’s receipts were admitted as Exhibit F by the court. Under cross-examination, he confirmed that his statement to the EFCC in 2012 was true and that the Bishop was not part of the initial broadcast that persuaded him.
Justice Ishaya adjourned the case to December 10 and 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.
