By Spear News Nigeria
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has expressed concern over the growing number of pastors, imams and other religious figures featuring in the Commission’s financial crime case files.
Olukoyede made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), held under the theme “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
Addressing the gathering, the EFCC chairman urged religious leaders to embrace integrity and ensure their conduct reflected the values they preach, noting that the Commission’s files were filled with suspects identified by religious titles, with some already convicted and serving prison terms.
“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 lamented that some individuals continued to be addressed as pastors or imams even after being convicted of financial crimes and sent to prison.
The EFCC boss warned that religious titles would not serve as a shield from investigation or prosecution, stressing that anyone involved in financial crimes would face the full weight of the law regardless of their religious standing.
“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 maintained that religious leaders should be assessed by their conduct and the values they demonstrate rather than the titles they bear.
He called on churches and mosques to tighten their internal controls and regulatory compliance to prevent the misuse of funds entrusted to religious organisations.
The EFCC chairman also cautioned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds belonging to religious bodies into private businesses, describing such acts as criminal.
He urged religious institutions to put mechanisms in place that would promote transparency and accountability in the management of their finances, adding that religious leaders occupy a critical position in the anti-corruption fight because their conduct shapes the behaviour of their followers.
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