By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has stated that the Commission not only investigates and prosecutes fraudsters but also recognises and commends Nigerians who uphold integrity and anti-corruption values in their personal and professional lives.
Olukoyede made this known on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Abuja during the Business Grant Award Ceremony organised by the Jerry Eze Foundation.
According to an official signed statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC Chairman emphasised that the Commission’s mandate extends beyond enforcement to include the promotion of ethical conduct among citizens.
He explained that in line with this approach, the EFCC had conducted a six-month investigation into Pastor Jerry Eze, Founder of Streams of Joy International, over allegations of money laundering, and found no evidence of financial misconduct.
“I want to let Nigerians know that EFCC is not just about investigating and prosecuting fraudsters, it is also appreciating and commending Nigerians who are not involved in any form of economic and financial crimes. I commended Pastor Jerry Eze when our investigations showed that he was not involved in money laundering,” Olukoyede said.
He further cautioned religious leaders and public figures against any form of corrupt practice, stressing that integrity must remain a core value across all spheres of leadership and influence.
On the grant initiative by the Jerry Eze Foundation, which supported 240 small-scale business owners with $3,000 each, the EFCC Chairman described the intervention as a significant contribution to national development and grassroots empowerment.
He noted that such initiatives demonstrate the importance of impact-driven leadership and urged Nigerians to continue supporting programmes that uplift communities and create opportunities for economic growth.
Olukoyede also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorising the release of N100 billion from the EFCC Recovery Account to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation as seed capital for their establishment.
He disclosed that the Commission is also working towards the establishment of a Cyber Crime Research Centre aimed at equipping young Nigerians with digital skills and redirecting their talents towards productive and socially beneficial ventures.
“Now, we are working on a Cyber Crime Research Centre to empower our youth in the area of information technologies for the optimisation of their talents. We believe that our youths can deploy their talents to socially-beneficial purpose,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to strengthening both enforcement and preventive frameworks in the fight against corruption while promoting a culture of integrity and national responsibility.
