The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ordered the immediate refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after discovering that the money was proceeds of crime.
According to Olukoyede, the revered cleric, popularly known as Daddy GO, directed that the entire donation be returned within 24 hours after the church was alerted to the questionable source of the funds.
The EFCC chairman disclosed this on Saturday while addressing RCCG workers at a special meeting organised by the church ahead of its annual Holy Ghost Congress.
Olukoyede said Pastor Adeboye had invited him to speak on financial discipline, accountability and proper financial record-keeping.
He therefore urged religious leaders to exercise due diligence by investigating the sources of substantial donations before accepting them.
Olukoyede also recounted another incident involving a church allegedly connected to a Ponzi scheme. He said the church leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after realising that the EFCC was prepared to pursue prosecution.
Addressing the dangers of materialism, unhealthy competition and leadership tussles within religious organisations, the EFCC chairman cautioned that these tendencies could create opportunities for financial misconduct.
He emphasised that religious status or spiritual influence would not shield anyone from prosecution if found culpable of financial crimes.
He urged Christians and church leaders to prioritise integrity, accountability and genuine service to God over the relentless pursuit of material wealth.
