By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
THE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that he investigated the Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, for six months over alleged money laundering.
Olukoyede made the revelation on Wednesday at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, stating that the probe was triggered by intelligence reports concerning inflows into a domiciliary account linked to the cleric.
According to him, the commission observed significant foreign currency transactions, with dollars and pounds reportedly coming in from multiple countries in avalanche.
Pastor Jerry Eze
He said, “We work by intelligence and petitions. At some point, there was a domiciliary account; dollars and pounds were dropping like raindrops from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said, ‘Who is this man?’ I had heard about him but never paid attention because he is a pastor.”
The EFCC boss explained that a full investigation was subsequently launched, including a detailed review of financial records, which confirmed the inflow of funds.
He added that Pastor Eze was later invited for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled.
Recounting the meeting, Olukoyede said he initially did not recognise the cleric when he appeared before him, noting his casual dressing.
“I am going to embarrass you today. I never wanted to say it, but I just felt that was my little way of making this contribution.
“I investigated this man for six months for money laundering. We work by intelligence, we work by petitions.
“At some point, there was an account, a domiciliary account; dollars, pounds were dropping like raindrops from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said, ‘Who is this man?’ Yes, I have been hearing about his name. I have seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing; he is a pastor,” Olukoyede said.
“So, they said it’s one Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy. Go and investigate him. So, we went into investigation; we combed the books. Yes, we saw the money coming in.
“So, my investigating officer came to me one day and said, ‘Sir, this is the preliminary report.’ I said I would like to see this man. Go and invite him.
“So, he (Eze) came to my office. I saw him. I had seen that face, but I didn’t know it was him, because I saw somebody who came in with baggy trousers, a T-shirt, and some punk with a pattern.
“I was almost going to say, ‘Go and call your pastor, my friend; go and bring your bishop,’” the EFCC chief said.
However, he said the outcome of the investigation led to a different conclusion, as the pastor provided explanations regarding the sources and use of the funds, including charitable activities.
Olukoyede said he commended Eze after the probe, stressing that the commission also has a preventive role of identifying and encouraging individuals of integrity.
“The only thing that is remaining now is to give you a letter of validation, but I will not, because we will continue to monitor your finances,” he said.
Pastor Eze, who is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), has not publicly responded to the remarks as of the time of filing this report.
What's your reaction?
