Alleged money laundering: How we probed Pastor Jerry Eze for 6 months – EFCC chair

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stated that the commission had been investigating Jerry Eze, the founder of Streams of Joy International, for six months in relation to money laundering allegations before declaring that there was no wrongdoing on his part.

He made the revelation on Wednesday when addressing the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

“The investigation began after intelligence reports and petitions because we noticed the presence of huge amounts of foreign currency being received into his domiciliary account,” he stated.

“Just imagine, there is an account; it is a domiciliary account. And dollars, pounds were pouring like raindrops into this man’s account. From Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka even from Togo.”

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.”

On how the investigation began, he added: “So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books.”

The EFCC chairman said the cleric was later invited for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled.

Speaking on the outcome, Olukoyede said: “So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.”

He added: “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.”

Olukoyede noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

He also stressed that the EFCC would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary as part of its preventive mandate.

The EFCC boss further lamented the involvement of some religious leaders in fraudulent practices, noting that several clerics have been investigated and convicted by the commission.

He urged religious institutions to uphold integrity, adding that places of worship should reflect righteousness rather than serve as cover for illicit activities.