RismadarVoice Reporters, April 29, 2026
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the commission conducted a six-month investigation into the financial activities of Pastor Jerry Eze over suspected money laundering before ultimately clearing him of any wrongdoing.
Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday during the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony held in Abuja, shedding light on the circumstances that led to the high-profile probe.
According to the EFCC boss, the investigation was triggered by intelligence reports and formal petitions after authorities observed unusually large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account a domiciliary account where dollars and pounds were dropping in like raindrops from Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, even Togo,” Olukoyede said.
He explained that although he was aware of Eze as a prominent religious figure, the scale and international nature of the transactions necessitated scrutiny. Investigators were subsequently assigned to examine the accounts linked to the founder of Streams of Joy International.
“So they said this one pastor of Streams of Joy go and investigate him. So we went into an investigation. We combed the books,” he added.
Following preliminary findings, Eze was invited to the EFCC headquarters for questioning. However, Olukoyede noted that by the time the cleric appeared before him, investigators had already completed a thorough review of the financial records.
He said the outcome of the probe revealed no evidence of financial misconduct.
“He came to my office. He explained what happens, how the money came, what he does, and how he has been helping people,” Olukoyede stated. “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 remark drew applause from attendees at the event, where Eze was present and acknowledged the commendation.
Olukoyede emphasised that the EFCC’s mandate goes beyond prosecution, noting that the commission also has a responsibility to recognise individuals who demonstrate financial integrity.
Despite the clearance, he stressed that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary as part of its preventive strategy against corruption and illicit financial flows.
The EFCC chairman also raised concerns about the involvement of some religious leaders in fraudulent practices, revealing that several clerics have been investigated and convicted in the past.
He urged religious institutions across the country to uphold transparency and ethical standards, warning that places of worship must not become safe havens for financial crimes but should instead reflect the values they preach.
