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The Digest:

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede has revealed that some religious leaders, including pastors and imams, are currently in detention or have been convicted for fraudulent practices. Speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation business grant award ceremony, Olukoyede said: "I have a lot of them in my holding facility as I'm talking to you. I have a lot of them that are convicted for fraudulent practices." He noted that wrongdoing reflects individual character, not religious affiliation.

Key Points:
  • Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC previously investigated Pastor Jerry Eze over money laundering.
  • The probe tracked foreign transactions from Colombia, the US, Sri Lanka, and Togo.
  • No evidence of wrongdoing was found against Eze.
  • Olukoyede described Eze as a person of integrity deserving a "letter of validation."
  • The EFCC has a "preventive mandate" beyond enforcement.
Olukoyede said the EFCC will continue to monitor financial activities as part of its statutory mandate.

Sources: The Cable, Vanguard