
(Jerry Eze. Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
According to Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Pastor Jerry Eze, the founder of Streams of Joy International, was cleared after a six-month investigation into possible money laundering.
Speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Olukoyede revealed this.
He claims that once the commission noticed significant foreign currency inflows into the cleric's domestic account, intelligence reports and petitions set off the investigation.
We operate using both intelligence and petitions. I eventually noticed that there was a domiciliary account. From Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, and even Togo, dollars and pounds were pouring in like raindrops.
"Who is this man, I asked? Yes, I have heard his name and have occasionally seen his face. What he was doing never concerned me. He was a pastor, as I knew.
"Go look into this one pastor of streams of joy," they suggested. We proceeded to the inquiry. We looked over the books," Olukoyede said.
The head of the EFCC claimed that after investigators had compiled preliminary findings, he then invited Eze to be questioned.
He continued by saying that the commission discovered no misconduct after meeting with the clergyman and going over the investigation's results.
He then visited my office. He explained everything to me, including how the money came, what he works, and how he has been assisting.
"You know what, I didn't call you here to give me an explanation," I remarked. We've already completed the task. "I called you here to give you praise," he said.
The audience applauded the statement, and Eze, who was there, appreciated the praise.
He pointed out that the commission's duties include both looking into financial crimes and honoring those who have behaved honorably.
However, the head of the EFCC emphasized that the organization's preventive role is still crucial in combating corruption and said that it will keep an eye on financial transactions as needed.
Olukoyede also bemoaned the participation of certain religious leaders in fraudulent activities, pointing out that the commission had looked into and found several clerics guilty.
In addition to urging religious organizations to maintain their integrity, he said that houses of worship should be a reflection of virtue rather than a front for illegal activity.