The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the commission investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him of any wrongdoing.
Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
He explained that the investigation was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions following unusual 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. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, 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 pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he later invited Eze for questioning after investigators submitted preliminary findings.
According to him, after reviewing the outcome of the probe and engaging the cleric, the commission found no evidence of wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from attendees at the event, with Eze, who was present, acknowledging the commendation.
Olukoyede noted that the commission’s role goes beyond investigating financial crimes to also recognising individuals who demonstrate integrity.
He, however, stressed that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, emphasising the importance of its preventive mandate in tackling corruption.
The EFCC chairman also expressed concern over the involvement of some religious leaders in fraudulent practices, revealing that several clerics have been investigated and convicted by the commission.
He urged religious institutions to uphold integrity, adding that places of worship should reflect righteousness rather than serve as cover for illicit activities.
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