Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede has revealed that he ordered a six-month investigation into popular cleric Pastor Jerry Eze over suspected money laundering, only for the probe to take an unexpected turn. Speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony, Olukoyede said the commission acted on intelligence and petitions after noticing massive inflows into a domiciliary account linked to the pastor, with dollars and pounds dropping in from Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, and even Togo. After reviewing the findings, Olukoyede said he invited the cleric not to question him but to commend him.
Key Points
- A prominent Nigerian cleric was cleared of money laundering allegations after a six-month probe.
- The EFCC chairman publicly commended Pastor Jerry Eze, signalling no wrongdoing was found.
- Massive global inflows into a domiciliary account triggered the initial investigation.
- The revelation serves as a reminder that not all large financial flows are illicit.
- Olukoyede lamented that some religious leaders are currently under investigation or convicted for fraud.
Watch whether the EFCC conducts similar probes into other religious leaders with large foreign inflows and if more public commendations or convictions follow.
Sources: Daily Post
