The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how he ordered the detention of a senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over alleged financial crimes, describing the incident as one of the saddest days of his life.
Olukoyede, who is also a senior pastor in the RCCG, said he was left with no choice but to authorise the cleric’s detention despite their shared religious affiliation, insisting that the evidence available to the commission could not be ignored.
He made the disclosure while addressing thousands of church workers and ministers after the monthly Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City of God, Simawa, Ogun State.
The programme, organised at the invitation of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, had the theme, “Ethical Standard and Corruption in Christian Community.”
Recounting the incident, Olukoyede clarified that the allegations against the senior pastor were not connected to his activities in the church but to his conduct at his secular workplace.
He described the experience as particularly painful but maintained that nobody should be shielded from accountability because of their religious position or affiliation.
The EFCC chairman also warned church leaders against turning their altars into platforms for celebrating wealth and questionable sources of income.
He accused some ministers of placing too much emphasis on material prosperity at the expense of holiness, cautioning against giving prominent positions and special recognition to individuals suspected of financial crimes.
Olukoyede said churches should welcome everyone but must not glorify questionable wealth or give undue recognition to suspected fraudsters.
He also praised Adeboye for what he described as his integrity and zero tolerance for corruption, recalling how the cleric ordered the refund of billions of naira traced to RCCG accounts during an EFCC investigation.
According to him, the commission had investigated an individual over financial transactions involving tens of billions of naira and discovered that some of the funds had been channelled into RCCG projects.
Olukoyede said he personally presented the findings to Adeboye, who immediately summoned some church officials and directed them to return within 24 hours every amount traced to the church from the individual under investigation.
He recalled that Adeboye was visibly angry when he heard about the development and insisted that the church must not retain proceeds of questionable transactions.
The EFCC boss said the money was subsequently returned to government coffers, describing the action as an example of the accountability expected from religious institutions.
He also criticised an unnamed mega church, alleging that individuals accused of fraud had operated an investment scheme within the institution, causing members to lose billions of naira.
Olukoyede condemned religious leaders who defend or justify proceeds of crime, insisting that churches must not compromise their values to protect wealthy members or influential individuals.
The anti-graft chief further identified materialism, greed and the love of money as major drivers of corruption within the Christian community.
He warned against unhealthy competition among churches to build mega congregations, as well as the alleged practice of offering money to secure ordination and promotion.
According to him, both those who offer and those who collect money in exchange for church positions are culpable, describing the practice as bribery.
Olukoyede also challenged anyone who had offered him a bribe that he accepted during his 10 years at the EFCC to come forward.
He recalled serving as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Commission before eventually becoming its chairman, insisting that he had remained committed to fighting corruption.
The EFCC chairman urged Christians to stop condemning corruption in government while engaging in similar practices within their churches.
He warned that unethical conduct, greed and the celebration of questionable wealth could damage the reputation of Christianity and discourage people from embracing the faith.
Olukoyede expressed confidence that RCCG could become a model of integrity and accountability if its members embraced righteousness, holiness and transparency.
The event was attended by thousands of church workers and ministers.
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