The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, disclosed that the anti-graft agency has uncovered a religious sect in Nigeria involved in laundering money for terrorists.
Speaking during a public engagement on youth, religion, and the fight against corruption, Olukoyede also revealed that another religious body was found to be protecting a money launderer, as traced funds were discovered in the organization’s bank account.
The investigation stemmed from a N13 billion fraud case, where N7 billion was linked to a religious body’s bank account. Olukoyede emphasized that various religious organizations, institutions, sects, and bodies have been implicated in money laundering activities.
“A religious sect in this country was laundering money for terrorists,” Olukoyede stated.
However, he highlighted that upon approaching the religious organization during the investigation, a restraining order was swiftly obtained, preventing the EFCC from further probing its leaders.
“We were able to trace some laundered money to a religious organisation, and when we approached the religious organisation about it and we were carrying out our investigation, we got a restraining order stopping us from carrying out our investigation,” he explained.
Undeterred by the legal obstacle, Olukoyede asserted that the EFCC is determined to pursue the investigation, and an appeal is underway to lift the restraining order and recover the stolen funds.
The one-day event, themed “Youth, Religion and the Fight Against Corruption,” aimed to address challenges related to youth involvement in cybercrimes and explore the role of religion in reorienting them.
The event featured the launch of the Interfaith Preaching and Teaching Manual, developed by the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee of the Commission, as a resource to promote abhorrence for corruption among adherents of Islam and Christianity.
Additionally, the EFCC launched the Fraud Risk Assessment Prevention and Control Project for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies during the event.
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