The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has alleged that almost 75 per cent of government funds released to sponsor pilgrims in one case were stolen by officials involved in managing the programme.
Olukoyede made the allegation while speaking at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, where the EFCC also presented its Anti-Corruption Interfaith Manual to religious bodies.
The EFCC chairman said the commission had previously investigated the Christian Pilgrims Board and Muslim Pilgrims Board during his earlier service at the agency, describing some of the discoveries as “mind-boggling.”
According to Olukoyede, investigators found that a substantial portion of funds released by the government for pilgrimage activities had allegedly been diverted by officials responsible for the programmes. He also alleged that some officials registered private companies in countries where Nigerian pilgrims travelled, creating what he described as serious conflicts of interest.
The EFCC boss stressed that the fight against corruption must begin with leaders, urging religious leaders to demonstrate integrity and accountability if they expect their followers to do the same.
Olukoyede also warned pastors, imams and other religious leaders against mixing funds belonging to churches, mosques and other faith-based organisations with their personal finances or businesses.
He said religious organisations should establish clear financial controls to ensure that offerings, tithes, zakat and other funds entrusted to them are not diverted for personal purposes.
The EFCC chairman further urged religious leaders to question the sources of unusually large donations, particularly when such wealth appears inconsistent with the legitimate income of the donor.
He also disclosed that the EFCC’s financial crime case files contain suspects identified by religious titles, including pastors and imams, with some having been convicted and imprisoned for financial crimes.
Olukoyede called on religious institutions to play a stronger role in promoting integrity, accountability and responsible conduct, saying faith communities could help shape the character of their followers and support the broader fight against corruption.
The allegation concerning the 75 per cent figure was presented by Olukoyede as a finding from previous EFCC investigations. Reports of his remarks did not identify the specific pilgrimage organisation, period, amount involved or officials allegedly responsible.
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