The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has challenged religious institutions across Nigeria to rethink the practice of celebrating wealthy individuals without questioning the sources of their wealth.
Olukoyede made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, where he spoke on the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
The EFCC chairman said religious institutions had a major role to play in shaping Nigerians’ attitudes toward corruption, stressing that the fight against financial crime should not be left to law enforcement agencies alone.
According to him, worship centres risk sending the wrong message when they honour individuals whose wealth cannot be reasonably explained.
He illustrated the concern with the example of a public servant who builds a multimillion-naira mosque despite having legitimate earnings that could not reasonably support such expenditure.
And you go there to dedicate it. You are dedicating the process of crime,” Olukoyede said.
He argued that religious leaders wield considerable influence over society and could either help discourage corruption or inadvertently create social acceptance for questionable wealth.
Olukoyede also disclosed that the EFCC had investigated and prosecuted individuals bearing prominent religious titles, including pastors, imams, bishops and sheikhs.
He said religious status should never be allowed to shield anyone from accountability, insisting that allegations of financial crimes must be addressed based on evidence rather than the position or title of the person involved.
The EFCC chairman further questioned whether Nigerians’ strong religious identity was being adequately reflected in their public and economic conduct.
We are a deeply religious people. Our churches and mosques are full,” he said, while challenging Nigerians to examine whether their religious convictions were producing the level of integrity expected in public life.
Olukoyede maintained that financial crime had neither religious nor ethnic identity, noting that the consequences of corruption affect Nigerians regardless of their faith or background.
He urged religious communities to become stronger partners in preventing corruption by promoting honesty, accountability and responsible attitudes toward wealth.
While EFCC can investigate conduct and prosecute fraud, faith communities can influence character and cultivate honesty to prevent crime,” he said.
He added that religious institutions should avoid providing what he described as “moral shelter” for corruption by celebrating or legitimising wealth whose origins are questionable.
