The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the commission investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him of any wrongdoing.
Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the investigation was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions following unusual inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work with intelligence and petitions. At a point, we noticed a domiciliary account receiving dollars and pounds from different parts of the world, Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, even Togo,” Olukoyede said.
He explained that the development raised suspicion within the commission, prompting a full-scale investigation into the source and legitimacy of the funds.
“I asked, ‘Who is this person?’ I had heard his name before and knew he was a pastor. So we directed our team to investigate. We thoroughly examined the records,” he added.
The EFCC boss said the cleric was later invited for questioning after preliminary findings had been compiled.
However, he noted that the outcome of the investigation showed no evidence of financial misconduct.
“When he came in, he explained his activities and how the funds were received, including his humanitarian efforts. But I told him we had already completed our work. I only invited him to commend him,” Olukoyede stated.
He said the commission has a duty not only to investigate suspected financial crimes but also to acknowledge individuals who demonstrate transparency and integrity.
Despite clearing the cleric, Olukoyede stressed that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, in line with its preventive mandate.
He also expressed concern over the involvement of some religious leaders in fraudulent practices, noting that several have been investigated and prosecuted.
“Religious institutions must uphold integrity. Places of worship should not become safe havens for illicit activities,” he warned.
