By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially cleared Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, following a rigorous half-year investigation into allegations of money laundering. Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC Chairman, shared the details of the investigation on Wednesday during the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony held in Abuja.
Olukoyede revealed that the commission’s interest was piqued after intelligence reports and petitions highlighted unusual activity in the cleric’s domiciliary accounts. The EFCC observed a relentless stream of foreign currency flowing in from across the globe, which prompted a formal inquiry to determine the source of the funds and whether they were linked to illicit activities.
“I saw a domiciliary account where dollars and pounds were dropping in like raindrops from Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, and even Togo,” Olukoyede remarked. He explained that while he was aware of the pastor’s name and face, the sheer volume of international transactions required the commission to “comb the books” and ensure total transparency through a comprehensive investigation.
After six months of scrutinizing financial records, the EFCC boss invited Pastor Eze to the commission’s headquarters for direct questioning. Upon reviewing the evidence and meeting with the cleric, the commission found no evidence of wrongdoing, determining that the funds were consistent with the pastor’s global ministry and philanthropic efforts. Instead of an indictment, the meeting ended in a commendation. “I told him, ‘I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,’” the Chairman stated, drawing a round of applause from the audience.
While celebrating Eze’s integrity, Olukoyede used the platform to issue a stern warning to the broader religious community. He lamented that several religious leaders are currently under investigation for fraud and noted that the commission has successfully secured convictions against clerics who used their positions for illicit gain. He stressed that places of worship must remain centers of righteousness rather than shields for financial crimes. Olukoyede reaffirmed that while the EFCC is happy to recognize honesty, it will remain vigilant in its preventive mandate to monitor financial activities and tackle corruption across all sectors.
