Pastors, Imams Involved in Financial Crimes — EFCC
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede says some pastors, imams and other religious figures have featured in financial crime investigations and prosecutions, urging faith leaders to promote accountability and reject unexplained wealth.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the involvement of some religious figures in financial crimes in Nigeria. Olukoyede made the disclosure on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in Abuja.
According to the EFCC chairman, pastors, imams, bishops and other religious figures have appeared in the commission’s case files involving financial crimes. He said some individuals who were investigated were eventually prosecuted and convicted, stressing that religious titles should not prevent anyone from being held accountable when there is evidence of wrongdoing.
Olukoyede also questioned the continued use of religious titles for individuals who have been convicted and sent to prison for financial crimes. He argued that religious leaders should demonstrate integrity and ensure that their positions are not used to shield individuals from scrutiny or accountability.
The EFCC chairman further called on churches and mosques to exercise caution when accepting large or unexplained donations. He referenced a reported ₦550 million donation as an example of the need for religious institutions to ask questions about the source of funds rather than accepting money without proper scrutiny.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the EFCC to encourage religious leaders to use their influence to educate followers about corruption and financial crimes. Olukoyede urged faith leaders to promote moral values and discourage practices that enable the movement or concealment of proceeds suspected to have been obtained illegally.
