A prosecution witness on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, that he lost ₦3.9 million to an alleged fraudulent investment scheme operated under the Fadama Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, reportedly led by Bishop Jonas Katung of Maranatha Covenant Churches International.

The witness, Dajok Dakung Godfrey, a 42-year-old civil servant, testified as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing trial of Bishop Katung and Okewole Dayo before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya. The defendants face a 23-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence totaling ₦178,885,000.

Godfrey narrated that he became involved with the cooperative in May 2010 after seeing a televised presentation by Bishop Katung. He purchased a registration form for ₦1,000 and made an initial deposit of ₦400,000, later increasing his contributions to a total of ₦3.9 million.

“They were paying 10 per cent interest every month until December 2011, when a message came that we should hold on,” Godfrey told the court. “After waiting until 2012 without payment, members began to raise an alarm.”

He explained that Okewole Dayo was introduced as the cooperative’s secretary and executive director, while Bishop Katung identified himself as chairman or president. Despite assurances at a meeting with members at the Lamond Hotel, Jos, no resolution was forthcoming, prompting the cooperators to engage a legal practitioner who petitioned the EFCC.

Godfrey identified receipts issued by the cooperative as proof of his payments, which were admitted as Exhibit H, and confirmed additional monthly deductions totaling ₦261,000 from members’ savings.

Under cross-examination, Godfrey acknowledged he did not make payments directly to Dayo and only became aware of his involvement after the crisis emerged. He also confirmed he did not know Bishop Katung personally before the scheme but recognized him as a “man of God” from attending church services.

Justice Ishaya adjourned the case until February 19, 2026, for continuation of the trial.