Anti-graft commission clarifies investigation was based on intelligence reports before cleric was cleared of wrongdoing
A statement attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has confirmed that popular Nigerian pastor, Jerry Eze, was previously investigated for alleged money laundering but was eventually cleared after no evidence of wrongdoing was found.
The EFCC boss disclosed that the agency conducted a six-month probe into the financial activities linked to the cleric following intelligence reports and petitions that raised concerns about large foreign currency inflows into a domiciliary account associated with him.
According to the EFCC chairman, the investigation was triggered by unusual transactions involving dollars and pounds from multiple countries, which initially raised suspicion within the commission’s monitoring system.
However, after a detailed review of financial records and an engagement with the pastor, investigators reportedly found no evidence of money laundering or financial misconduct.
The EFCC boss was further quoted as saying that the conclusion of the investigation led to an unusual outcome, where the cleric was not only cleared but also commended for transparency in his financial dealings.
The statement attributed to him—“I investigated this man for six months for money laundering and we found nothing”—has since circulated widely online, sparking public discussion about financial scrutiny of religious leaders and the role of intelligence-led investigations.
Background checks show that the EFCC has, in recent years, increased monitoring of high-volume financial transactions linked to religious and charitable organisations, especially those involving cross-border donations.
As of reporting time, no criminal charges were filed, and the matter has been officially closed by the anti-graft agency.
The development underscores the EFCC’s position that not all flagged financial activity amounts to fraud, while reinforcing ongoing scrutiny of large-scale fund movements in Nigeria’s nonprofit and religious sectors.