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EFCC Raises Alarm Over Religious Figures in Financial-Crime Cases as 12 Nigerian Clerics Face Allegations, Prosecutions or Convictions
The issue came into focus after EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede addressed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja on September 23, 2026, saying pastors, imams, bishops and other religious figures appear in the commission's financial-crime case files.
Olukoyede said some had been investigated, prosecuted and convicted, with some serving prison sentences while still being referred to by their religious titles.
He also challenged churches and mosques to question the sources of unusually large donations rather than automatically celebrating wealthy donors.
The 12 cases highlighted by Pulse
1. Pastor Godswill Oyor — Zedekiah Money Train
Investors reportedly accused Pastor Godswill Oyor, founder of Zedekiah Money Train, of failing to return capital and promised returns.
Reports cited by Pulse said investors were offered returns of up to 21% within 90 days, while complaints alleged that millions of naira became inaccessible when payments stopped.
This case should be described as an allegation/investment dispute, rather than a conviction.
2. Bishop Katung Jonas — ₦178.9 million alleged
The EFCC accused Katung Jonas and an associate of obtaining approximately ₦178.9 million through Covenant Fadama Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
A prosecution witness told the Federal High Court in Jos that he became interested after watching Jonas promote the cooperative on television.
Status: allegation/prosecution, not a conviction based on the information reviewed.
3. Prophet Sunday Koboko — ₦136.4 million
This is one of the cases with a conviction.
Godwin Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, was convicted by an Enugu State High Court in July 2026 after an EFCC prosecution for obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
The EFCC said he obtained money from church members through claims involving prosperity, a purported lottery win and business opportunities.
He was sentenced to one year in prison.
4. Saheed Atanda Aremu and Tolani Osuolale — $200,000
The two self-described Islamic clerics were arraigned in Lagos in June 2025 over allegations involving $200,000, reported at the time as approximately ₦280 million.
Prosecutors alleged that they persuaded a medical doctor to surrender the money after claiming it needed to be spiritually “fortified” before it could be used to purchase property.
Status: allegation/arraignment; this should not be reported as a conviction.
5. Israel Oladele Ogundipe — about ₦17 million
Israel Oladele Ogundipe, a senior cleric of the Celestial Church of Christ, was convicted in 2020 in Lagos.
The case involved allegations concerning money obtained from a UK-based woman in connection with property.
He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with restitution ordered by the court.
6. Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa — ₦52 million
The two church leaders were convicted in a Lagos case involving approximately ₦52 million.
The court imposed prison sentences and ordered the closure and deregistration of Temple International Church.
This is another case that should be clearly distinguished from cases that remain allegations.
7. Ayodeji Ibrahim Oluokun — $1.6 million
Oluokun, identified as an assistant pastor at RCCG's City of David Parish, was convicted in a case involving $1.6 million in dud cheques connected with an oil-and-gas transaction.
The case is significant because it was not primarily about church donations or alleged spiritual claims; it concerned a commercial transaction.
8. Ganiu Awojobi — ₦71 million
Muslim cleric Ganiu Awojobi was sentenced to two years in prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to stealing and obtaining money by false pretences.
The EFCC said the case involved ₦71 million obtained from a US-based Nigerian businesswoman in a scheme involving claims about special prayers and an oil business.
9. Umaru Isma'il — ₦668,000
The EFCC prosecuted Sokoto-based Islamic cleric Umaru Isma'il after alleging that he told a man special prayers could make him wealthy and collected ₦668,000.
He was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with restitution ordered.
10. Taiye Gasali — ₦4.2 million
Islamic cleric Taiye Gasali was convicted in Lagos in 2018 over ₦4.2 million.
According to reports cited by Pulse, the money represented proceeds from filling-station sales that had been given to him for spiritual prayers.
He was sentenced to six years in prison.
11. Afeez Uthman Imole Ayo — ₦150 million alleged
Police arrested Islamic cleric Afeez Uthman Imole Ayo in 2023 after a follower allegedly accused him of collecting ₦150 million over several years.
Police said Ayo acknowledged receiving ₦105 million but denied the wider allegations.
Status: allegation; the figures should not be presented as a proven theft or conviction.
12. Pastor Cletus Ilongwo — ₦59.7 million
Pastor Cletus Ilongwo was convicted in Lagos in a case involving approximately ₦59.7 million.
The EFCC said he collected the money from a former church member under the pretext of helping him acquire property.
He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
What the EFCC chairman actually said
The wider issue goes beyond the 12 names.
Olukoyede told religious leaders that religious titles should not shield anyone from financial-crime investigations or prosecution. He also questioned why people convicted of financial crimes could continue to be addressed primarily by their religious titles while serving prison sentences.
He further warned churches and mosques about accepting large unexplained donations, giving the example of a purported ₦550 million donation and arguing that religious institutions should ask questions about the source of extraordinary wealth.
He also spoke about alleged irregularities in pilgrimage funding, claiming that investigations during his earlier work uncovered the alleged diversion of a substantial proportion of government money allocated for pilgrims. However, he did not provide enough detail in the reported remarks to independently establish the specific location, period, amount or individuals involved, so that claim should be treated cautiously.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/nigerian-religious-figures-fraud-cases-2026092515260138420