Pastor Adeboye ordered refund of billions in illicit donations - EFCC reveals

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, disclosed on Saturday how General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, instructed the return of billions of naira in illicit donations. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the revelation at a public event discussing corruption within the church.

Olukoyede revealed that some wealthy individuals and politicians had been utilizing the church to conceal ill-gotten wealth. The EFCC chief stated that the commission had traced some of the money back to the RCCG, adding that the anti-graft agency had written to Pastor Adeboye informing him of their findings.

According to Olukoyede, Adeboye did not attempt to justify or shield the donors, but instead issued a single command: "Return the money." The EFCC boss further explained that Adeboye directed his followers to return the billions to the EFCC, emphasizing that the church cannot accept stolen funds. He reiterated, "If the money is not clean, the church will not keep it. Return it. Let the government do what it wants with it," as quoted by the EFCC.

Olukoyede confirmed that the church complied with Adeboye's directive and returned the money, which amounted to billions of naira.