“How I Investigated Pastor Jerry Eze for Six Months Over Money Laundering Allegations” — EFCC Chairman

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says Pastor Jerry Eze was investigated for six months over alleged money laundering after the commission flagged large foreign currency inflows into his account.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, Olukoyede said the investigation began after intelligence reports and petitions raised concerns over deposits in dollars and pounds from countries including Colombia, the United States, Sri Lanka and Togo.

“We work by intelligence; we work by petitions,” Olukoyede said. “At some point, I saw an account where dollars and pounds were dropping in like raindrops… from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.”

According to him, the transactions prompted a detailed review by the anti-graft agency, which scrutinised the pastor’s financial records before inviting him for questioning.

“So we went into the investigation and combed through the books,” he said. “Yes, we saw the money coming in.”

Olukoyede said the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing and that the funds were legitimate.

Recounting his meeting with Eze, the EFCC chairman said the cleric arrived prepared to explain the source of the funds, but he had a different purpose for inviting him.

“I didn’t call you here to explain to me,” he recalled telling the pastor. “I called you to commend you.”

He said the case reflects the commission’s broader preventive role, arguing that the agency should also be known for recognising people whose financial dealings withstand scrutiny.

“The EFCC should be identified with people who have integrity,” he said. “We must drum them up, and you are one of them.”

Olukoyede added, jokingly, that although Pastor Eze deserved a validation letter from the commission, oversight would continue.

“The only thing that remains now is to give you a letter of validation,” he said, “but I’m not going to do that, because I will continue to monitor your finances.”

The EFCC chairman also disclosed that some religious leaders are currently under investigation or in custody over alleged financial crimes, saying corruption concerns within religious institutions remain a reality.

“I have a lot of them in my holding facility as I’m talking to you,” he said, referring to some pastors and imams facing investigation or prosecution for fraud-related offences.

He added that integrity should be judged by conduct rather than religious titles, stressing that accountability must apply across religious institutions.

Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International and convener of NSPPD, has built a global online audience, with his ministry drawing support from multiple countries.