OpenLife News reports that at the monthly Holy Ghost Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG at the Redemption City of God, Simawa, Ogun State, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stood before thousands of church workers and ministers and told a story that has now set the Christian community on fire.
It was a moment that left the entire Redemption City in stunned silence.
The theme was simple but heavy: “Ethical Standard and Corruption in Christian Community.”
And Olukoyede, himself a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, did not mince words.
He revealed that a man under investigation for financial crimes running into tens of billions of naira had traced some of the proceeds to RCCG projects.
When the EFCC briefed the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, his reaction shocked even the anti-graft boss.
“The reaction on the face of Daddy was like I was almost blaming myself for taking the matter to him. Daddy was visibly angry.
“He called one or two pastors and said, ‘I give you 24 hours. Everything you have traced to RCCG from this particular person who has been indicted, return it within the next 24 hours.'”
Within 24 hours, the money was returned to the coffers of government.
“That is what RCCG is known for. That is who we are. We are not the custodian of proceeds of crime,” Olukoyede said.
The Difference Between RCCG And Others
Olukoyede contrasted Adeboye’s swift action with what he said happened in another unnamed mega church, where individuals accused of fraud allegedly operated an investment scheme through the church, leading to billions of naira lost by members.
“That is the difference between us and the others. Daddy Adeboye took action immediately he heard about the financial issue when the others are trying to defend it, justify it. Don’t justify proceeds of crime; it’s a crime to do that.”
He commended Adeboye for his integrity, holiness and zero tolerance for corruption.
The Saddest Day Of His Life
In a deeply emotional moment, Olukoyede recounted what he called one of the saddest moments of his life — authorising the detention of a very senior RCCG pastor.
Not for what he did in church, but for alleged financial crimes committed in his secular workplace.
“I say this with every sense of humility. It was a day that I had calls to detain a very senior pastor in this mission.
“I had no choice. I needed to do it because of what we have seen… I feel things like this should not be happening within the Christian community.”
The EFCC boss then turned his fire on church leaders.
He warned them against using the pulpit to promote materialism and questionable wealth, and against giving undue recognition to individuals suspected of financial crimes.
“Some of us pervert holiness on our altars. We don’t preach as much holiness as we do of materialism.
“It must not be seen in our parishes giving front row to criminals.”
“We are not saying we should send them away, but we must not use the altar to promote financial fraudulent activities.
“Invariably, when you give undue recognition to known 419, people that have committed financial crimes in our churches, then we are encouraging them.
“When we begin to idolise those who are money bags in the church, there is a problem.”
Olukoyede listed the root causes, citing 1 Timothy 6:9-10:
1. Materialism
2. Covetousness
3. The love of money
He also blamed unhealthy competition among churches to build mega congregations and leadership struggles that encourage financial inducements for ordination and promotion.
Offering or receiving money for church positions, he said, is bribery and criminal abuse of office.
“Anyone who offers money for ordination and for promotion does not deserve it. He does not deserve it. And we must kick against this in RCCG.
“Not only those who receive, those who also offer are also criminally liable. What you are doing is bribery. You want to bribe your way to the top. And most people do that. They crash at the end of the day.”
In a bold challenge, Olukoyede dared anyone who had ever offered him a bribe that he accepted to come forward.
He said he has spent 10 years in the anti-graft agency — as Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Commission, and now Chairman.
“I challenge anyone who has ever offered me a bribe and I took it in the course of my work to come out. By the grace of God, this is my 10th year in this work.”
He urged Christians to hold themselves to the same ethical standards they demand of public officials.
“We don’t have the right to accuse people in government of stealing money when some of us are doing worse things in the church. This must stop. That evil must stop.”
Olukoyede closed with a call for RCCG members to protect the reputation of the church and the Christian faith through ethical conduct.
“By righteousness, you can win. By holiness, you can win. And in the mighty name of Jesus, that wind has begun to blow in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“This church will be a model to the entire world. They will come and copy our processes and our systems with respect to the sanctity of our processes.”
For many in the hall, it was more than a sermon. It was a warning.
Q: What did Olukoyede say Adeboye did with billions traced to RCCG?
A: Olukoyede said Adeboye was visibly angry when briefed, called pastors and said: “I give you 24 hours. Everything you have traced to RCCG from this particular person who has been indicted, return it within the next 24 hours.” The money was returned to government coffers.
Q: What does Olukoyede say drives corruption in the Christian community?
A: He identified materialism, covetousness and the love of money, citing 1 Timothy 6:9-10, plus unhealthy competition for mega churches, leadership struggles, bribery for ordination and promotion, and idolising wealthy fraudsters.
Q: What did Olukoyede say about giving front row to criminals in church?
A: He said churches must not give front row to criminals or use the altar to promote financial fraud. “When you give undue recognition to known 419, people that have committed financial crimes in our churches, then we are encouraging them.”
Q: What did Olukoyede say about paying for ordination?
A: He said anyone who offers money for ordination and promotion does not deserve it. “What you are doing is bribery. You want to bribe your way to the top… Not only those who receive, those who also offer are also criminally liable.”
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