“We now have too many pastors, imams in our financial crime files” – EFCC Chairman
Pastors, imams, and other religious leaders who are involved in financial crime cases should have their religious titles reviewed, according to Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council’s (NIREC) Second Council Meeting in Abuja in 2026, Olukoyede made the request.locations of worship.
He claims that several suspects identified by religious titles are included in the EFCC’s case files, some of whom have already been found guilty and are incarcerated.
He asked why people convicted of financial crimes are still referred to as pastors or imams, advising Nigerians to pay more attention to their behaviour than their titles.
“I advocated for a review of the titles we give to men of God. Maybe, if it is possible for us to remove those titles, pastor and imam. You know why? I have my case files full of these titles.
And some of them have been convicted and they are in jail. And while in jail, they still refer to them as pastor and imam. So it is something for us to really think about,” Olukoyede stated.
Olukoyede also described meeting a suspect who, when he came before the EFCC, presented himself using multiple religious titles.
He emphasised that no one’s religious beliefs would protect them from financial crime investigations or prosecutions.
“People who carry the spirit of God, who do the right thing. Because the spirit of God is by their fruits, not their appearance. Not what we call ourselves. It’s by the fruits.
So if you think you’re a Christian or you’re a pastor here, and you comm!t financial crime, I will be your enemy. I won’t be your friend,” he added.
The head of the EFCC emphasised that financial crime has no religious affiliation and called on religious leaders to encourage honesty and responsibility.
