Adeboye Ordered Refund of Billions in Illicit Donations, Says EFCC Chairman

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ordered the refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after the funds were traced to proceeds of financial crime.

Olukoyede said Adeboye directed that the money be returned within 24 hours after the church was alerted to its alleged criminal source.

EFCC Chairman Recounts Incident

The EFCC chairman made the disclosure while addressing RCCG workers in the early hours of Saturday, November 7, during a meeting organised ahead of the church's annual Holy Ghost Congress.

According to a report by Church Times Nigeria, Adeboye had invited Olukoyede to speak on financial propriety and the importance of maintaining transparent financial records within the church.

Recounting the incident, Olukoyede said a church member had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project, but investigations later revealed that the funds were proceeds of financial crime.

He commended Adeboye for directing the refund after the church was informed about the source of the donation. However, he did not disclose the donor's identity, the specific project or the exact amount involved.

EFCC Warns Churches Against Suspicious Donations

Olukoyede, who is also an ordained pastor, expressed concern over cases involving religious leaders implicated in financial crimes and allegations surrounding contracts for church projects.

He urged church workers and pastors to exercise caution when receiving donations, stressing that contributions should be properly scrutinised to ensure they are not proceeds of criminal activities.

The EFCC chairman also recalled a separate case involving another church allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme. He said the church leader initially resisted the commission's intervention but later refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.

He did not identify the church or provide further details about the alleged scheme, but warned that the commission would investigate financial crimes regardless of the religious status or affiliation of those involved.

Adeboye Reaffirms RCCG's Position on Financial Misconduct

Olukoyede further cautioned church members against materialism, unhealthy competition and leadership struggles, warning that such practices could expose religious institutions to financial misconduct.

He also raised concerns about reports of individuals allegedly offering bribes to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.

Responding, Adeboye said the church would not protect anyone found involved in financial wrongdoing. He urged pastors to maintain accurate financial records and ensure that their activities were free from corruption.