EFCC chairman laments too many pastors, imams appearing in financial crime files

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has expressed concern over the high number of religious title-bearers being investigated and prosecuted for financial crimes, Tribune Online reports.

Speaking at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, Olukoyede said the commission’s case files were filled with cases involving “pastor so-so-so” and “imam so-so-so,” some of whom had already been convicted and imprisoned.”

I advocated for a review of the titles we give to men of God… I have my case files full of these titles,” he said, adding that genuine spirituality should be judged “by their fruits, not their appearance.”

Olukoyede further recounted an encounter with a suspect who introduced himself using multiple religious titles, saying he cut him off, asking only whether the suspect had misappropriated funds — a case that led to five charges.

He warned religious leaders that their status offers no protection from prosecution. “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, urging religious leaders to match their preaching with genuine integrity and accountability.