Adeboye Ordered Refund of Billions in Illicit Donations — EFCC Boss

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, ordered the refund of billions of naira donated to a church project after the funds were traced to proceeds of crime, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed.

Olukoyede made the revelation on Saturday, November 7, 2026, while addressing RCCG workers at a meeting organised ahead of the church’s annual Holy Ghost Congress.

According to the EFCC chairman, a member of the church had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project. Subsequent investigations, however, linked the money to financial crime.

He said Adeboye directed the church to return the entire donation within 24 hours of being informed about its source.

Olukoyede commended the cleric for his swift response, describing it as an example of integrity and accountability in religious leadership.

The EFCC boss did not disclose the identity of the donor, the exact amount involved or the specific project for which the money was donated.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Olukoyede to address financial accountability within religious organisations. He warned church leaders against accepting large donations without taking reasonable steps to establish how the money was obtained.

He also expressed concern over reports of financial misconduct involving religious institutions, including questionable transactions and alleged irregularities connected with church projects.

Olukoyede cited a separate case involving another church allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme, saying its leader eventually refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.

He warned that religious status or position would not shield anyone involved in financial crime from investigation and possible prosecution.

The commission’s chairman further cautioned against materialism, unhealthy competition and struggles for leadership positions, noting that such practices could encourage financial misconduct.

In response, Adeboye said the RCCG would not protect anyone found involved in financial wrongdoing. He urged pastors to maintain proper financial records and ensure that church activities remained free from corruption.

The disclosure highlights the importance of financial transparency in religious institutions and the need to verify the sources of substantial donations to prevent the use of charitable or religious projects to conceal illicit funds.