The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has drawn a red line over the misuse of religious funds, warning that diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other entrusted money into private businesses is criminal and could attract prosecution. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of […]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has drawn a red line over the misuse of religious funds, warning that diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other entrusted money into private businesses is criminal and could attract prosecution.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC).
Olukoyede urged churches and mosques to establish stronger regulatory and compliance mechanisms to ensure that funds entrusted to them by worshippers are properly managed.
According to him, religious leaders must maintain a clear separation between money belonging to their organisations and their personal finances or business interests.
He said there was nothing wrong with religious leaders engaging in legitimate businesses, but stressed that funds belonging to churches and mosques must not be diverted to finance private ventures.
“When money is paid to your organisation, don’t divert it to your business. That’s criminal,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC chairman also urged religious leaders to lead by example in the fight against corruption, noting that followers often take their behavioural cues from their spiritual leaders.
He said religious institutions have an important role to play in preventing corruption because of their influence in shaping the character, values and conduct of their followers.
Olukoyede explained that while the EFCC has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, religious communities can contribute to preventing wrongdoing by promoting honesty, accountability and integrity.
He also criticised the practice of religious institutions celebrating individuals whose sources of wealth cannot be adequately explained.
The EFCC boss cited the example of a public servant who constructs a mosque worth far beyond what could reasonably be covered by his official earnings, only for the religious community to celebrate and dedicate the project.
“A public servant says he has built a mosque that is worth more than his earnings in the next 500 years. And you go there to dedicate it. You are dedicating the proceeds of crime,” he said.
Olukoyede therefore urged religious institutions to pay greater attention to the sources of wealth behind major donations and projects instead of celebrating unexplained affluence.
He maintained that stronger ethical and accountability standards within churches and mosques would complement the efforts of law enforcement agencies in tackling financial crimes and corruption.