EFCC Chairman Exposes Religious Sect’s Role in Money Laundering for Terrorists
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, disclosed on Wednesday how a powerful religious sect in the country obtained a court order to halt investigations into the alleged misappropriation of N7 billion linked to certain terrorist activities.
According to reports, the EFCC was conducting an inquiry into a substantial N13 billion fraud case when it unearthed that N7 billion of the funds were associated with an account belonging to a religious body.
Speaking at a one-day sensitization event themed “Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption” held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the EFCC chairman revealed that another religious body was shielding a money launderer after detecting suspicious transactions in the organization’s bank account.
Although Mr. Olukoyede refrained from disclosing the identities of the religious sect and the terrorist group involved, he emphasized that various religious organizations, institutions, sects, and bodies have been implicated in money laundering activities.
“A religious sect in this country was discovered to be involved in money laundering for terrorists,” Mr. Olukoyede stated, refraining from specifying the individuals and the timeline of the criminal activities.
“We traced laundered funds to a religious organization, and while conducting our investigation, we received a restraining order preventing us from proceeding with our inquiries,” the chairman lamented, expressing frustration at the obstruction of the commission’s efforts.
The revelations made by the EFCC chairman shed light on the intricate nexus between religious bodies, financial impropriety, and criminal activities, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating corruption effectively.
This disclosure has sparked debates about the role of religious institutions in financial crimes and the need for more stringent regulations to curb illicit financial activities within these organizations. Critics argue that this revelation could tarnish the image of religious institutions and erode public trust in their operations, calling for transparency and accountability in their financial dealings.
While some have commended the EFCC for its efforts to uncover these illicit activities, others have raised concerns about the potential repercussions of implicating religious bodies in criminal investigations, emphasizing the delicate balance between law enforcement and religious sensitivities in the country.
Vanguard News
