The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has reportedly ordered the refund of billions of naira donated towards a church project after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) traced the funds to alleged proceeds of crime.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this while speaking to RCCG workers in the early hours of Saturday, November 7, during a meeting held ahead of the church’s annual Holy Ghost Congress.
According to Church Times Nigeria, Adeboye had invited Olukoyede to address church workers on financial transparency, accountability and proper record-keeping.
Recounting the incident, the EFCC boss explained that investigations revealed that a church member had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project. However, the commission later discovered that the money was allegedly generated from criminal activities.
Olukoyede said the commission informed the church about its findings, prompting Adeboye to immediately instruct that the donation be returned.
He commended the cleric for ordering the refund within 24 hours of receiving the information. However, the EFCC chairman did not disclose the donor’s identity, the exact amount involved or the particular project for which the money was donated.
Olukoyede cautioned religious leaders against accepting questionable donations, stressing that churches must not become platforms for hiding or legitimising proceeds of crime.
He also shared another incident involving a church allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme. According to him, the church leader initially resisted the EFCC’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after the commission threatened legal action.
The EFCC chairman further warned against materialism, unhealthy competition and attempts to offer bribes to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.
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