Adeboye ordered refund of billions in illicit donations — EFCC boss

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

The revelation was made by Olukoyede 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, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE DIRECTIVE

Olukoyede recounted that a church member had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project, but investigations later revealed that the money was proceeds of financial crime.

According to the EFCC chairman, Adeboye directed the immediate return of the money within 24 hours after the church was alerted to its illicit source.

He commended Adeboye for ordering the refund shortly after the church was alerted, describing it as an example of the accountability expected of religious institutions.

Olukoyede did not disclose the identity of the donor, the specific RCCG project, or the exact amount involved, but said the billions of naira donated were later discovered to be proceeds of crime.

THE WARNING TO CHURCH WORKERS

The EFCC boss, who is also an ordained pastor, expressed concern over the increasing number of cases involving church leaders implicated in financial crimes, as well as allegations relating to contracts for church projects.

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He warned church workers against accepting suspicious donations and pursuing money through questionable means.

Olukoyede also raised concerns about reports of individuals allegedly bribing their way into leadership positions within the RCCG, describing such practices as bribery and criminal abuse of office.

“Offering money for ordination and for promotion is not acceptable. Those who receive and those who give are under the conscience of the Almighty God,” he said.

ADEBOYE’S RESPONSE

Responding, Adeboye said the RCCG would not protect anyone found to be involved in financial wrongdoing.

He urged pastors in the church to maintain clean financial records and ensure that their activities were free from corruption.

THE BROADER CONTEXT

Olukoyede also recalled a separate case involving another church allegedly implicated in a Ponzi scheme, saying its leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.

He warned that the commission would not spare anyone involved in financial crimes, regardless of their religious position or affiliation.

“We can prosecute pastors. We can prosecute ministers. We can prosecute workers. They will not be safe from the law of the land,” he declared.

WHY IT MATTERS

The revelation is a rare moment of transparency in a sector that has often been shielded from scrutiny.

Pastor Adeboye’s decision to order the refund of billions within 24 hours is a signal that the RCCG is willing to confront financial impropriety within its ranks.

It is also a warning to other religious institutions that the era of unchecked donations and unaccountable leadership may be coming to an end.For Olukoyede, the case is an example of what can happen when religious leaders cooperate with law enforcement.

For the RCCG, it is a reminder that even the largest church in Nigeria is not above the law.

The money has been returned. The warning has been issued. And the church has been put on notice. ValidViewNetwork reports.