Pastors, Imams Flood EFCC Case Files Over Financial Crimes — EFCC Chairman
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has expressed concern over the number of pastors, imams and other religious figures appearing in the commission’s financial crime cases.
Olukoyede said the EFCC had investigated and prosecuted several individuals identified by religious titles, with some of them eventually convicted and sent to prison.
He made the disclosure at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), held in Abuja with the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
The EFCC chairman said the frequency with which religious titles appeared in the commission’s case files had made him question whether such titles should continue to be attached to people accused or convicted of criminal offences.
“I advocated for a review of the titles we give to men of God. Maybe, if it is possible for us to remove those titles, pastor and imam. You know why? I have my case files full of these titles,” Olukoyede said.
He explained that some convicted persons continued to be addressed as pastors or imams even while serving prison sentences.
“And some of them have been convicted and they are in jail. And while in jail, they still refer to them as pastor and imam. So it is something for us to really think about,” he said.
Olukoyede urged Nigerians to judge religious leaders by their conduct rather than the titles attached to their names.
He said those who genuinely uphold religious values should demonstrate them through their actions and commitment to doing what is right.
“People who carry the spirit of God, who do the right thing. Because the spirit of God is by their fruits, not their appearance. Not what we call ourselves. It’s by the fruits,” he said.
The EFCC chairman also recalled an encounter with a suspect who introduced himself with several religious titles when he appeared before the commission.
According to Olukoyede, the suspect told him, “I am Reverend Dr Bishop…”
He said he interrupted the introduction and asked the suspect to address the allegation against him.
“I said, ‘Wait there, don’t bring that one here. Did you misappropriate money or not?’” he recounted.
Olukoyede said the suspect was subsequently facing five charges over alleged misappropriation of funds.
He warned that religious status would not shield anyone from investigation or prosecution if evidence linked the person to financial crime.
“So if you think you’re a Christian or you’re a pastor here, and you commit financial crime, I will be your enemy. I won’t be your friend,” he said.
Olukoyede called on religious leaders to uphold integrity and accountability and ensure that their conduct reflected the values they preach to their followers.
He stressed that no religious title should be used to evade the law or provide protection from accountability for financial wrongdoing.
