EFCC Chairman Hails Pastor Adeboye For Refund of Billions In Illicit Donations
MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede has revealed how the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ordered the refund of billions of naira in illicit donations.
Speaking Saturday at a public event on corruption and the church, Olukoyede, said some rich men and politicians have been using the church to hide stolen money.
The EFCC boss disclosed that the commission traced some of the money running into billions a church member had donated towards an RCCG project.
He noted that with EFCC investigations revealed that the money allegedly came from illegal activities, the anti-graft agency wrote to Pastor Adeboye and told him what they found.
Pastor Adeboye, he disclosed, did not argue or try to protect the unnamed donors, but called his people and gave them one order.
“Return the money,” Adeboye told them, according to the EFCC boss.
Olukoyede further stated that Adeboye ordered the church to refund the billions to the EFCC, stressing that the church cannot eat stolen money.
“He said, if the money is not clean, the church will not keep it. He said, return it. Let the government do what it wants with it,” the EFCC boss quoted Adeboye.
Olukoyede said the church obeyed and returned the money, revealing that the money was running into several billions of naira.
Speaking further, Olukoyede expressed concern over reports of financial misconduct involving some religious leaders, including questionable transactions and irregularities in contracts for church projects.
He warned pastors and church workers against accepting donations without making reasonable efforts to confirm where the money came from.
The EFCC boss, who is also an ordained pastor, said religious institutions must be careful not to become channels for hiding or presenting money from ill3gal activities as legitimate funds.
He also mentioned another case involving a church allegedly connected to a P0nzi scheme.
According to him, the church leader initially opposed the commission’s intervention but later returned a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.
Olukoyede warned that the commission would investigate and pr0secute anyone found involved in financial offences, regardless of their religious background or position.
He also cautioned church leaders against materialism, unh3althy competition and struggles for leadership positions, which he said could encourage corrupt10n in religious institutions.
The EFCC chairman further expressed concern over allegations that some individuals were offering money to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.
He urged pastors and other church officials to carefully examine donations, especially large financial contributions, to avoid accepting money connected to illegal activities.
Responding to the remarks, Adeboye reaffirmed the church’s stand against corrupt!0n, declaring that the RCCG would not protect anyone found responsible for financial wr0ngdoing.
He also urged pastors and church workers to keep accurate financial records and carry out their duties with honesty, integrity and accountability.
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