Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede has raised concerns over the number of pastors, imams and other religious figures appearing in the commission’s financial crime case files.
Key Highlights
- EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed concern over religious leaders appearing in financial crime case files.
- He said some suspects identified as pastors and imams have been convicted and are serving prison sentences.
- Olukoyede questioned whether religious titles should continue to be used for convicted financial offenders.
- He stressed that religious positions would not shield anyone from investigation or prosecution.
- The EFCC chairman urged religious leaders to promote integrity, accountability and responsible conduct.
- He said financial crime should be addressed through the legal process regardless of a suspect’s religious affiliation.
Olukoyede spoke at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, where he called for a rethink of the religious titles attached to individuals facing financial crime cases.
According to the EFCC chairman, some suspects identified by religious titles in the commission’s files have been convicted and are currently serving prison sentences.
He questioned why convicted financial offenders should continue to be addressed as pastors or imams while serving their sentences.
“I advocated for a review of the titles we give to men of God. Maybe, if it is possible for us to remove those titles, pastor and imam. You know why? I have my case files full of these titles,” Olukoyede said.
He added that some of the individuals had been convicted and were serving prison sentences while still being referred to by their religious titles.
The EFCC chairman also recalled an encounter with a suspect who introduced himself using several religious titles when he appeared before the commission.
‘I Will Be Your Enemy’
Olukoyede stressed that holding a religious position would not protect anyone from investigation or prosecution where there are allegations of financial crime.
He argued that religious identity should not be used as the basis for judging a person’s character, saying individuals should instead be assessed by their conduct.
“People who carry the spirit of God, who do the right thing. Because the spirit of God is by their fruits, not their appearance. Not what we call ourselves. It’s by the fruits,” he said.
Olukoyede added: “So if you think you’re a Christian or you’re a pastor here, and you commit financial crime, I will be your enemy. I won’t be your friend.”
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The EFCC chairman further urged religious leaders to use their positions to promote integrity, accountability and responsible conduct among their followers.
He maintained that financial crime has no religious identity and that anyone suspected of violating financial crime laws should be subjected to the appropriate legal process, regardless of their title or religious affiliation.
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