The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), ordered the refund of a donation worth billions of naira after the commission traced the money to alleged proceeds of crime.
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Olukoyede made the disclosure while addressing RCCG workers in the early hours of Saturday, November 7, during a meeting ahead of the church’s annual Holy Ghost Congress. According to Church Times Nigeria, Adeboye had invited the EFCC chairman to speak about financial transparency, accountability and proper record-keeping within the church.
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Olukoyede said a church member donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project. However, investigations by the EFCC later revealed that the money allegedly came from criminal activities.
After the commission shared its findings with the church, Pastor Adeboye reportedly ordered that the donation be returned immediately. Olukoyede praised the cleric for directing the refund within 24 hours of receiving the information.
The EFCC chairman did not reveal the identity of the donor, the exact amount involved, or the specific RCCG project for which the money was donated.
He warned religious institutions against accepting questionable donations. According to him, churches must not become channels for hiding or making criminal proceeds look legitimate.
Olukoyede also spoke about another church allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme. He said the church leader initially resisted the EFCC’s intervention but later refunded a large amount of money after the commission threatened legal action.
The EFCC chairman urged RCCG workers to avoid materialism, unhealthy competition and attempts to influence leadership appointments through bribery. He stressed the importance of integrity, accountability and transparency in religious institutions.
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