Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has disclosed that Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International was investigated for about six months over suspected money laundering before being cleared.
The EFCC Chairman disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe started after intelligence reports and petitions raised concerns about large amounts of foreign currency entering the pastor’s domiciliary account from countries such as Colombia, the United States, Sri Lanka, and Togo.
Olukoyede explained that EFCC investigators carefully reviewed the financial records linked to the account and Pastor Eze was invited for questioning to give further clarification.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars and pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said, “Who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing his name and seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Ola Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC Chairman said that after going through the findings and hearing directly from the cleric, the commission found no evidence of wrongdoing, stressing that he praised Eze for maintaining integrity and for his charitable efforts.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happened, how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he said.
The announcement was well received at the event, with Pastor Jerry Eze, who was present, appreciating the recognition.
The EFCC chairman noted that while the agency is focused on tackling financial crimes, it also has a responsibility to highlight individuals who demonstrate honesty.
Olukoyede stressed that the commission will continue to monitor suspicious transactions as part of its duty to prevent corruption.
He also raised concerns about some religious leaders engaging in fraudulent activities, revealing that the EFCC has previously investigated and secured convictions against certain clerics.
He urged religious organisations to maintain strong ethical standards and ensure that places of worship are not used for illegal dealings.
Watch the video below:
KanyiDaily recalls that Pastor Jerry Eze and his wife celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary by giving back to the community, donating tricycles worth millions of naira.
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