The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the agency once investigated cleric Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, over alleged money laundering before clearing him of wrongdoing.
Olukoyede made the revelation during a public event in Abuja, stating that the investigation lasted about six months and was based on intelligence reports and petitions regarding unusual foreign currency inflows into the pastor’s domiciliary account.
According to him, the EFCC observed multiple inflows in foreign currencies from different countries, which prompted further scrutiny.
He explained that after reviewing the financial records and interrogating the cleric, investigators found no evidence linking him to any financial crime.
Olukoyede said the pastor was eventually invited for questioning, where he explained the sources and nature of the funds, which the commission later verified.
The EFCC chairman added that the agency’s findings cleared Jerry Eze of suspicion, stressing that the commission commended him after concluding its investigation.
He also used the opportunity to reiterate that while the EFCC acts on intelligence and petitions, it will continue to ensure thorough investigations before reaching conclusions, especially in sensitive financial crime allegations.