The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ordered the immediate refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after the funds were discovered to be proceeds of crime, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed.
Olukoyede disclosed that Adeboye directed the church to return the money within 24 hours after the anti-graft agency alerted it that the donation came from an illicit source.
The EFCC chairman made the revelation while addressing workers of the RCCG in the early hours of Saturday, November 7, 2026, during a meeting organised by the church ahead of its annual Holy Ghost Congress. 
According to report, Adeboye had invited Olukoyede to speak to church workers on financial propriety, accountability and the need for religious organisations to maintain transparent financial records.
How EFCC discovered the illicit funds
Recounting the incident, Olukoyede explained that a church member had donated billions of naira towards one of the RCCG’s projects.
However, investigations by the EFCC subsequently established that the money was proceeds of financial crime.
Following the discovery, the commission alerted the church to the questionable source of the donation, prompting Adeboye to order its immediate return.
Olukoyede praised the cleric for directing the refund shortly after the church received the information, describing the response as an example of the importance of integrity and accountability in religious institutions.
The EFCC chairman, however, did not disclose the identity of the donor, the particular RCCG project involved or the exact amount returned. He only confirmed that the donation amounted to billions of naira.
The incident underscores the risks religious organisations face when accepting large donations without properly establishing the sources of the funds.
EFCC raises concern over financial crimes in churches
Beyond the incident involving the RCCG, Olukoyede expressed concern over the increasing number of cases involving church leaders allegedly implicated in financial crimes.
He disclosed that the commission had received several reports concerning financial misconduct involving religious organisations, including allegations connected with contracts for church projects.
The EFCC chairman, who is also an ordained pastor, said such cases were embarrassing and warned church workers against pursuing wealth through questionable means.
He also recalled a separate case involving another church allegedly implicated in a Ponzi scheme.
According to him, the church leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.
Olukoyede warned that the commission would not spare anyone found involved in financial crimes, regardless of their religious position, influence or affiliation.
Olukoyede warns against bribery, leadership struggles
The EFCC boss further cautioned church members against excessive materialism, unhealthy competition and leadership struggles, saying such tendencies could expose religious institutions to financial misconduct.
He specifically raised concerns about reports of individuals allegedly offering money to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.
He warned that the pursuit of positions through financial inducements and unhealthy competition could undermine the integrity of religious institutions.
Olukoyede urged pastors to investigate the financial backgrounds of individuals making substantial donations before accepting their contributions.
He stressed that churches must establish proper financial accountability systems and ensure that money received for religious activities and projects comes from legitimate sources.
Adeboye assures EFCC of RCCG’s position
Responding to the EFCC chairman’s remarks, Adeboye said the RCCG would not protect anyone found involved in financial wrongdoing.
He also urged pastors across the church to maintain clean financial records and ensure that their activities were free from corruption.
The cleric’s response reinforced the church’s position on financial accountability following the revelations about the suspicious donation.
Olukoyede’s visit was part of efforts to sensitise church workers on financial propriety and the need for religious institutions to cooperate with the fight against corruption.
The annual Holy Ghost Congress, ahead of which the meeting was organised, is one of the major programmes on the RCCG’s calendar.
