Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that the agency investigated Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, for six months over suspected money laundering linked to large foreign currency inflows.
Olukoyede said the probe was triggered by intelligence reports of heavy deposits into a domiciliary account associated with the cleric, with funds arriving from multiple countries.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony, the EFCC chairman said the inflows raised red flags.
“At some point, we saw a domiciliary account where dollars and pounds were dropping like raindrops — from Colombia, the United States, Sri Lanka, even Togo. I asked, ‘Who is this man?’” he said.
He explained that investigators were assigned to trace the source and legitimacy of the funds after the account was linked to Eze.
“We went into full investigation and combed through the books. The inflows were confirmed. When I got the preliminary report, I asked that he be invited,” Olukoyede said.
Recounting their first encounter, the EFCC boss said he initially did not recognise the pastor.
“I had seen his face before, but I didn’t know it was him. He walked in casually dressed, and I almost asked him to go and bring his pastor,” he said.
However, Olukoyede said the outcome of the probe cleared Eze of wrongdoing.
“He explained how the funds came in and how they were being used to support people. But I told him I didn’t call him to explain — we had already done our work. I invited him to commend him,” he said.
He added that beyond enforcement, the EFCC also plays a preventive role, including identifying individuals who demonstrate integrity in financial dealings.
Olukoyede urged Eze, who also convenes the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), to maintain transparency.
“The only thing remaining is to give you a letter of validation, but I won’t do that yet. We will continue to monitor your finances,” he said.
