“We saw Dollars, Pounds Dropping Like Raindrops into Jerry Eze’s account – EFCC boss

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how the agency investigated Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, over suspected money laundering before clearing him of any wrongdoing.

Olukoyede made the disclosure on Wednesday at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to the EFCC boss, the investigation began after the commission received intelligence reports and petitions concerning large foreign currency inflows into a domiciliary account linked to the cleric.

He said the account attracted the attention of investigators because funds were coming in from several countries, including the United States, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Togo.

Olukoyede explained that after noticing the volume and pattern of the transactions, he directed operatives of the commission to examine the account and verify the source of the funds.

He said investigators spent about six months combing through the financial records before inviting Pastor Eze for further engagement.

The EFCC chairman stated that by the time the pastor was invited to his office, the commission had already completed its findings and found nothing criminal in the transactions.

Olukoyede said Eze explained the nature of his work, including his humanitarian activities and the support he gives to people through his ministry and foundation.

He added that after reviewing the findings, the EFCC cleared the cleric and commended him for his integrity.

The EFCC boss said the agency has a duty not only to investigate suspected financial crimes but also to acknowledge individuals who are found to have acted properly.

However, Olukoyede warned that the commission would continue to monitor suspicious financial activities as part of its preventive mandate.

He also expressed concern over the involvement of some religious leaders in fraudulent activities, saying the EFCC had investigated and secured convictions against some clerics in the past.

Olukoyede urged religious institutions to uphold integrity, stressing that places of worship must not become shelters for illicit financial dealings.