EFCC Clarifies Involvement of Religious Sects in Money Laundering

EFCC Clarifies Involvement of Religious Sects in Money Laundering

Ola Olukoyede

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought to clarify recent statements made by its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, regarding the involvement of a religious sect in money laundering activities. Contrary to widespread speculation, the EFCC has emphasized that the religious organization under investigation does not fall under the conventional categories of churches or mosques.

During a dialogue on "Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption" held in Abuja, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC had traced N7 billion, suspected to be part of a larger N30 billion money laundering scheme, to a religious organization. He also implicated another religious group in laundering money for terrorists.

Following the chairman's statements, there was significant media coverage and public speculation about the identity and nature of the religious organizations involved. However, the EFCC, through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, released a statement on Thursday addressing the misconceptions and emphasizing that the organizations under investigation are religious sects and not churches or mosques.

Oyewale quoted Olukoyede's remarks during the public engagement, stating, "There is a matter we are handling: a pyramid scheme that involves over N30 billion fleeced from Nigerians. Along the line, some people died, some victims collapsed and all of that. We were able to trace over N7 billion to a particular religious body."

The EFCC Chairman highlighted the challenges faced by the commission in investigating money laundering within religious sects, noting a restraining order preventing the recovery of funds. Oyewale clarified that Olukoyede did not specifically mention a church, mosque, or any particular religious entity.

"The groups fingered by the EFCC chair are religious sects, not a church or a mosque," Oyewale stated. He urged the public to ignore mischievous interpretations and emphasized that the EFCC remains focused on its mission to combat economic and financial crimes.