The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday publicly recounted how the agency launched and concluded an investigation into the founder of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, over suspected money laundering.
Olukoyede made the disclosure while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, where the cleric himself was in attendance.
Pastor Jerry Eze’s Money Laundering Allegations Investigated By EFCC For Months – Olukoyede
Addressing the audience, the EFCC boss narrated that the case began after the commission flagged unusual foreign currency inflows into a domiciliary account linked to the pastor. According to him, intelligence reports and formal petitions prompted the anti-graft agency to open a probe.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops—from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo,” Olukoyede said.
He explained that despite being aware of Eze’s public profile as a cleric, the commission proceeded with a full investigation, directing its operatives to scrutinise the financial records.
“I said, who is this man? I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor. So they said, this one, go and investigate him. And we went ahead—we combed the books,” he added.
Olukoyede told the gathering that the investigation lasted about six months, after which the commission compiled its findings and invited the cleric for engagement.
Recounting the meeting, he stated that Pastor Eze provided clarifications regarding the nature of the funds and his activities, but emphasised that the EFCC had already concluded its independent review before the invitation.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people,” Olukoyede said. “But I told him, I didn’t call you here to explain. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you.”
The statement drew applause from the audience, as Eze acknowledged the commendation at the event.
Olukoyede used the moment to stress that the EFCC’s responsibility goes beyond enforcement, noting that the commission also recognises individuals who demonstrate transparency after due scrutiny.
He, however, cautioned that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, maintaining that its preventive mandate remains central to the fight against corruption.
The EFCC chairman further expressed concern over cases involving some religious leaders engaged in fraudulent practices, revealing that a number of clerics have been investigated and convicted in the past.
He urged religious institutions to uphold integrity, insisting that places of worship must not be turned into channels for illicit financial dealings but should reflect accountability and moral responsibility.
