EFCC Uncovers Religious Sect Laundering Money for Terrorists

By Iyojo Ameh

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has disclosed that the anti-graft agency has exposed a religious sect in Nigeria involved in money laundering for terrorists.

The revelation came during a public engagement on youth, religion, and the fight against corruption.

Olukoyede shared that an ongoing N13 billion fraud investigation led the EFCC to discover that N7 billion of the funds was linked to a religious body’s bank account.

He emphasized that various religious organizations, institutions, sects, and bodies have been implicated in money laundering activities.

During the public engagement, Olukoyede disclosed, “A religious sect in this country had been found to be laundering money for terrorists.

” However, he highlighted that when the EFCC approached the implicated religious organization, they swiftly obtained a restraining order, preventing the agency from continuing its investigation.

Despite the legal obstacle, Olukoyede assured that the EFCC is determined to pursue the case, revealing plans to appeal the restraining order to recover the allegedly stolen funds.

The one-day event, themed “Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption,” addressed challenges related to youth involvement in cybercrimes and explored how religion could serve as a tool for their reorientation.

Notably, the event saw the launch of the Interfaith Preaching and Teaching Manual by the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee of the Commission, aimed at promoting a strong stance against corruption among followers of Islam and Christianity.

Additionally, the EFCC’s Fraud Risk Assessment Prevention and Control Project for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies was officially launched during the event.