The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted some reports regarding recent comments made by its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, about money laundering involving religious leaders.
Olukoyede during a one-day dialogue this week disclosed that the anti-graft agency was investigating “a pyramid scheme” involving over N30 billion, tracing N7 billion to “a particular religious body” but being hindered by a restraining order to seize the funds.
“As I’m standing before you, there is a matter we are handling, a pyramid scheme that involves over N30 billion fleeced from Nigerians,” Olukoyede said.
“Along the line, some people died, some victims collapsed and all of that. We were able to trace over N7billion to a particular religious body and I said, write a letter to the leader of that religious sect, and we did.”
EFCC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, condemns “mischievous interpretations” of Olukoyede’s remarks, implying that he accused specific churches or mosques of money laundering.
“Olukoyede neither mentioned a church, a mosque, nor any particular religious entity. Unfortunately, his comments have been twisted with mischievous connotations,” Oyewale said.
“The groups fingered by the EFCC chair are religious sects, not a church or a mosque.”
The anti-graft agency added that those subjecting this disclosure to sinister interpretation are prone to mischief and should be ignored.
Oyewale noted that the EFCC’s boss is focused on his assignment of tackling all shades of economic and financial crimes and would not be distracted.
