Some religious organisations more corrupt than public offices – EFCC boss

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says he has evidence to prove that some religious organisations are “more corrupt” than public offices in Nigeria.

Speaking during a leadership conference organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos on Friday, Olukoyede urged pastors across the country to use their platform “not only to preach but also to demonstrate” good character to their congregation.

The EFCC boss accused religious leaders of pointing fingers at others rather than themselves.

The chairman of the anti-graft agency said: “Just this last week, I have had cause to recover how many millions from a religious organization.

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“They appointed you a pastor, and that is when you become a big man. We don’t even know what you are doing to earn a legitimate living. You live on the ministry and the church or mosque money. You can’t even explain the source of your wealth.

“Some religious organisations are more corrupt than public offices. I have evidence towards that. You look at the speckle in someone else’s eyes, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

This is coming six months after the EFCC boss said the commission had uncovered a religious sect laundering money terrorists in Nigeria.

Olukoyede made the revelation during a one-day dialogue in Abuja, with the theme: “Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption”.

He said the religious body was found culpable while protecting a money launderer after some money suspected to have been laundered was traced to the organisation’s bank account.

“A religious sect in this country had been found to be laundering money for terrorists. We were able to trace some laundered money to a religious organisation.

“When we approached the religious organisation about it and we were carrying out our investigation, we got a restraining order stopping us from carrying out our investigation,” he said.