The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that the commission conducted a six-month investigation into the financial activities of cleric Jerry Eze over suspected money laundering before clearing him of any wrongdoing.

Olukoyede made the disclosure on Wednesday during the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

He said the investigation was initiated following intelligence reports and petitions concerning large inflows of foreign currency into a domiciliary account linked to the pastor.

According to him, the EFCC flagged unusual transactions involving deposits in dollars and pounds originating from multiple countries, which prompted a formal probe.

He explained that investigators were instructed to examine the accounts and trace the source of the funds in line with standard EFCC procedures.

Following preliminary findings, Olukoyede said the cleric was invited for questioning, where he explained the nature of the transactions and his activities.

The EFCC chairman stated that after reviewing the evidence and hearing from the pastor, the commission found no criminal activity and subsequently cleared him.

He added that the invitation was not for prosecution but to verify intelligence gathered during the investigation.

Olukoyede said the agency also used the opportunity to commend individuals found to have acted within the law, noting that its mandate includes both enforcement and preventive oversight.

He, however, expressed concern over cases involving financial misconduct within religious circles, stating that some clerics have faced investigations and convictions in the past.

The EFCC boss urged religious leaders and institutions to maintain transparency and uphold ethical standards, warning against the use of places of worship as channels for illicit financial activity.

He reaffirmed that the commission will continue to monitor financial transactions where necessary as part of its broader anti-corruption mandate.