Manny Ita –
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the agency conducted a six-month investigation into Jerry Eze over suspected money laundering before clearing him of wrongdoing.
Olukoyede made the revelation while speaking at a business grant event organized by the cleric’s foundation in Abuja. He explained that the probe was triggered by unusually large foreign inflows into Eze’s domiciliary accounts, with funds reportedly coming from multiple countries, including the United States, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Togo.
According to him, the scale and frequency of the transactions raised red flags within the anti-graft agency, prompting a detailed investigation. EFCC operatives were assigned to scrutinize the accounts and financial records linked to the founder of Streams of Joy International.
After completing the review, investigators reportedly found no evidence of financial misconduct. Olukoyede said he later invited the pastor for a meeting, not for questioning, but to commend him for transparency and integrity following the outcome of the probe.
The EFCC boss also used the occasion to express concern over the growing involvement of some religious leaders in financial crimes, noting that several clerics are currently under investigation or in custody for fraud-related offences.
He, however, held up Pastor Jerry Eze as an example of accountability, emphasizing that the agency’s findings confirmed the legitimacy of his financial activities.
