EFCC: Adeboye Orders Refund of Billions Donated to RCCG After Funds Were Traced to Crime Proceeds

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, reportedly ordered the immediate refund of billions of naira donated towards a church project after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered that the funds were allegedly proceeds of crime.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Saturday, November 7, 2026, while addressing RCCG workers during a meeting ahead of the church’s annual Holy Ghost Congress.

According to Church Times Nigeria, Adeboye had invited the EFCC chairman to address church workers on financial transparency, accountability and proper financial record-keeping.

Recounting the incident, Olukoyede explained that investigations by the commission revealed that a church member had donated billions of naira towards an RCCG project, but subsequent findings linked the money to alleged criminal activities.

He said the church was informed of the findings, prompting Adeboye to direct that the entire donation be returned.

The EFCC chairman reportedly commended the cleric for acting within 24 hours of receiving the information.

However, Olukoyede did not disclose the identity of the donor, the exact amount involved or the specific RCCG project for which the donation was made.

The EFCC boss used the opportunity to caution religious institutions against accepting suspicious donations, warning that churches must not become channels for concealing, laundering or legitimising proceeds of crime.

He also narrated another case involving a church allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme, whose leader initially resisted the commission’s intervention but eventually refunded a substantial amount after the EFCC threatened legal action.

Olukoyede further warned against materialism, unhealthy competition and attempts to offer bribes to secure leadership positions within the RCCG.

He urged church leaders and workers to uphold financial integrity, transparency and accountability, stressing that religious institutions must maintain standards that prevent their platforms from being exploited for illicit financial activities.