EFCC Chairman: Religious Organizations More Corrupt Than Public Offices

In a recent statement, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, made a bold claim: “Some religious organizations are more corrupt than public offices.” This statement has sparked a debate about the role of religious institutions in society and their potential involvement in corruption.

Olukoyede made the comment during a one-day dialogue on “Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption” held at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. He revealed that the EFCC had uncovered a religious sect in Nigeria that was laundering money for terrorists, and another religious body that was protecting a money launderer.

According to Olukoyede, some religious organizations are aiding and abetting fraudsters and terrorists, and the EFCC is committed to investigating and prosecuting these cases. “We were able to trace some laundered money to a religious organisation, and when we apporached the religious organisation about it and we were carrying out our investigation, we got a restraining order stopping us from carrying out our investigation,” he said.

The EFCC chairman’s comments have been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised him for his boldness in addressing a sensitive issue, while others have criticized him for making sweeping generalizations about religious organizations.

It is important to note that not all religious organizations are involved in corruption, and many are actively working to promote transparency and accountability. However, the fact that some religious institutions are being used to launder money for terrorists is a cause for concern.

The EFCC’s investigation into these cases is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. However, one thing is clear: the fight against corruption requires the cooperation of all sectors of society, including religious organizations.