Jerry Eze recounts ordeal during EFCC alleged money laundering probe
The lead pastor of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, has recounted his experience during a six-month investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering.
The lead pastor of Streams of Joy International, Jerry Eze, has recounted his experience during a six-month investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, Eze described the probe period as emotionally difficult.
He said he questioned why he was being investigated and sought counsel from other clerics at the time.
“I remember that the EFCC chairman was talking about the investigation. He’s saying it, and he’s happy. But he didn’t know the kind of… I remember talking to Pastor Poju at the time. I remember talking to Pastor Sarah. I’m like, what did I do? I’ve not done anything. I don’t know why these people are after me,” Eze said.
He continued, “I wake up, I’m driving to NSPPD in the morning… You did me wrong. I must say it. I’m driving in the morning, and I’m crying, and I’m saying, ‘Jesus, Lord, you know.’ I prayed for you. I put your name on the altar because it looked like… I didn’t know what it was.”
Eze said he prayed about the situation and was relieved when the EFCC concluded its review.
The commission informed him that no wrongdoing was found after examining his financial records.
“But then again, the interesting thing is that when he came, he said, ‘We looked through your books, and we didn’t find anything wrong you did,’ and I am beyond grateful to God,” he added.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede had earlier disclosed that he ordered the investigation following intelligence reports of significant foreign currency inflows into a domiciliary account linked to the pastor.
Olukoyede said the inflows included dollars and pounds from multiple countries, including Colombia, the United States, Sri Lanka and Togo.
He said investigators reviewed financial records and traced the sources of funds.
Eze was later invited to explain the transactions, which were linked to his religious and charitable activities.
At the end of the probe, the EFCC chairman said no wrongdoing was established.
He said the commission commended the cleric, urged him to maintain transparency, and noted that routine monitoring of financial activities would continue.
