By Habeeb Ibrahim
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has ordered the refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) traced the funds to proceeds of financial crime.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this while addressing RCCG pastors and workers on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at a meeting held ahead of the church’s annual Holy Ghost Congress.
Adeboye had invited the anti-graft agency’s chairman to speak on financial accountability, transparency and the importance of maintaining proper financial records within religious organisations.
Recounting the incident, Olukoyede said a member of the church had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project, but investigations by the commission later revealed that the money was linked to criminal activities.
He said the church was subsequently informed of the findings, prompting Adeboye to direct that the donation be returned within 24 hours.
The EFCC chairman commended the cleric for his swift response, noting that he did not hesitate to order the refund after being informed of the source of the funds.
However, Olukoyede did not disclose the identity of the donor, the exact amount involved or the particular church project for which the money was donated.
Olukoyede further explained that the individual whose transactions were investigated was involved in financial dealings worth tens of billions of naira, some of which the commission traced to RCCG projects.
He said he personally approached Adeboye to explain the commission’s findings. The cleric reportedly became angry and summoned some pastors, directing them to return all funds traced to the individual within 24 hours.
Olukoyede said the money was subsequently returned, stressing that the church should not serve as a custodian of proceeds of crime.
The EFCC chairman, who is also a senior pastor in the RCCG, also disclosed that he once authorised the detention of a senior pastor in the church over alleged financial crimes committed in the cleric’s secular workplace.
He said the decision was difficult but necessary, insisting that religious positions should not shield anyone from accountability.
Olukoyede also raised concerns about the growing influence of materialism in religious institutions, warning pastors against giving special recognition to wealthy individuals whose sources of income are questionable.
He cautioned against unhealthy competition among churches, struggles for leadership positions and the alleged practice of offering money to secure ordination or promotion within the RCCG, describing such payments as bribery.
The EFCC boss also recounted a separate case involving another unnamed church allegedly connected to a Ponzi investment scheme, saying its leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.
In his response, Adeboye reportedly assured Olukoyede that the RCCG would not protect anyone found involved in financial misconduct.
He also urged pastors across the church to maintain accurate financial records and ensure that their activities remained free from corruption.
Olukoyede urged religious leaders to exercise due diligence before accepting donations, stressing that churches must not become channels through which proceeds of crime are concealed or legitimised.
