Daud Olatunji
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, reportedly ordered the immediate refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission discovered that the money was proceeds of financial crime.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that Adeboye directed the church to return the funds within 24 hours after being alerted to their questionable source.
Olukoyede made the revelation while addressing RCCG workers during a meeting organised by the church in preparation for its annual Holy Ghost Congress in the early hours of Saturday.
The EFCC chairman, who was reportedly invited by Adeboye to speak on financial propriety and transparency in church administration, commended the cleric for his response to the development.
According to a report by Church Times Nigeria, Olukoyede explained that a church member had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project, but subsequent investigations established that the funds were proceeds of financial crime.
He, however, did not disclose the identity of the donor, the particular church project involved or the exact amount returned.
Commending Adeboye’s decision, the EFCC boss reportedly described the swift refund as an example of the need for religious institutions to maintain integrity and exercise caution in handling financial contributions.
Olukoyede expressed concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in financial crime allegations, including questionable financial dealings surrounding contracts awarded for church projects.
He warned pastors and other church workers against accepting suspicious donations or pursuing financial contributions through questionable means, stressing that religious institutions must not become safe havens for proceeds of crime.
The EFCC chairman also recounted a separate case involving another church allegedly implicated in a Ponzi scheme.
According to him, the church leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually agreed to refund a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.
He did not identify the church or provide details of the alleged scheme.
Olukoyede, however, warned that the commission would not spare anyone found culpable of financial crimes, irrespective of their religious standing, influence or affiliation.
He further cautioned church members against materialism, unhealthy competition and leadership struggles, noting that such tendencies could create opportunities for financial misconduct within religious organisations.
The EFCC boss also raised concerns over allegations that some individuals were offering bribes to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.
He urged pastors to thoroughly investigate the sources of donations before accepting them, particularly contributions running into millions or billions of naira for church projects.
According to him, religious leaders have a responsibility to ensure that money donated for spiritual and developmental purposes does not originate from criminal activities.
Responding, Adeboye reportedly assured that the RCCG would not protect anyone found involved in financial wrongdoing.
The cleric also urged pastors and church leaders to maintain transparent financial records and ensure that their administrative and financial activities were free from corruption.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns about financial accountability and transparency in religious institutions, with the EFCC warning that the sanctity of religious organisations must not be used to conceal illicit financial transactions.
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