The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has described authorising the detention of a senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over alleged financial crimes as one of the saddest moments of his life.
Olukoyede, who is also a senior pastor in the church, disclosed this while addressing church workers and ministers after the monthly Holy Ghost Service at Redemption City of God, Simawa, Ogun State.
The programme, organised at the invitation of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, focused on the theme, “Ethical Standard and Corruption in Christian Community.”
Recounting the incident, the EFCC chairman said he authorised the detention because of evidence available to the commission.
He clarified that the alleged misconduct occurred at the pastor’s secular workplace and did not involve activities within the church.
“I say this with every sense of humility. It was a day that I had calls to detain a very senior pastor in this mission. I had no choice. I needed to do it because of what we have seen,” Olukoyede said.
He added that the situation saddened him because such conduct should not occur within the Christian community.
Olukoyede Warns Churches Against Celebrating Questionable Wealth
The EFCC chairman urged religious leaders to discourage materialism and avoid using church platforms to celebrate individuals whose wealth may be connected to financial crimes.
He said churches should remain open to everyone but must not give special recognition to people suspected of involvement in fraudulent activities.
According to him, religious institutions should prioritise integrity and accountability rather than wealth and social status.
“Some of us pervert holiness on our altars. We don’t preach as much holiness as we do of materialism,” he said.
Olukoyede warned that giving prominent positions to individuals associated with financial crimes could encourage wrongdoing within religious communities.
Adeboye Ordered Return Of Funds Traced To RCCG Projects
The EFCC chairman also praised Adeboye’s response during an investigation involving an individual whose financial transactions were worth tens of billions of naira.
According to Olukoyede, investigators discovered that some of the funds had been traced to RCCG projects.
He said he personally approached the church’s General Overseer to explain the findings.
Olukoyede recalled that Adeboye immediately summoned some church officials and directed them to return the funds traced to the church within 24 hours.
“The reaction on the face of Daddy was like I was almost blaming myself for taking the matter to him. Daddy was visibly angry. He called one or two pastors and said, ‘I give you 24 hours. Everything you have traced to RCCG from this particular person who has been indicted, return it within the next 24 hours,’” he said.
Olukoyede stated that the money was subsequently returned to government coffers.
He contrasted Adeboye’s response with the alleged handling of a similar situation by another unnamed mega church.
The EFCC chairman claimed that individuals accused of fraud had operated an investment scheme through the other church, resulting in billions of naira in losses for members.
He criticised religious leaders who defend or justify funds linked to alleged criminal activities.
EFCC Chairman Condemns Bribery In Church Appointments
Olukoyede identified materialism, covetousness and the excessive pursuit of money as factors contributing to corruption within the Christian community.
He also warned against competition among churches to establish mega congregations and leadership struggles that encourage financial inducements for ordination and promotions.
According to him, offering or receiving money in exchange for church positions amounts to bribery and abuse of office.
He stressed that both the person offering the money and the person accepting it could be held responsible.
“Anyone who offers money for ordination and for promotion does not deserve it. He does not deserve it. And we must kick against this in RCCG,” he said.
He urged church leaders to ensure that appointments and promotions reflect merit rather than financial influence.
Olukoyede Challenges Nigerians To Prove Bribery Allegations
The EFCC chairman also challenged anyone who had offered him a bribe that he accepted during his years in public service to come forward.
He disclosed that he had spent 10 years working with the anti-graft agency.
During that period, he served as Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Commission and eventually its chairman.
“I challenge anyone who has ever offered me a bribe and I took it in the course of my work to come out,” he said.
Olukoyede urged Christians to maintain the same standards of accountability they demand from public officials.
He warned that corruption within religious institutions could undermine the credibility of the church and the Christian faith.
“We don’t have the right to accuse people in government of stealing money when some of us are doing worse things in the church. This must stop. That evil must stop,” he said.
He expressed confidence that RCCG could become a model of integrity and accountability through stronger commitment to ethical conduct.
The event attracted thousands of church workers and ministers.
