Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has explained why Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International was subjected to a six‑month investigation for suspected money laundering.
Speaking at an event in Abuja in a video clip shared by Channels TV, Olukoyede said the probe began after EFCC received intelligence reports indicating large inflows of foreign currency into a domiciliary account linked to the clergyman.
He revealed that United States dollars and British pounds were coming in from multiple countries, including Colombia, the United States, Sri Lanka and Togo, which raised red flags and prompted a full financial investigation.
The EFCC chairman said investigators combed through financial records and invited Pastor Eze for questioning, but no wrongdoing was found after tracing the origin and use of the funds.
Olukoyede explained that he personally invited Eze to his office after reviewing the preliminary report, and that the pastor detailed how the money was received and used for charitable and church‑related activities.
“I told him, ‘I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We’ve already done our work. I called you here to commend you,’” Olukoyede recounted, adding that he advised Pastor Eze to keep his hands clean because the EFCC would continue to monitor his financial activities.
The EFCC chairman said he chose not to issue a formal “letter of validation,” stressing that the agency would persist in oversight as part of its mandate to prevent financial crime.
