Ola Olukoyede, the chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has asserted that certain religious organizations in Nigeria are “more corrupt” than public offices.

He made this statement during a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) leadership conference in Lagos on Friday.

During his address, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC recently recovered a significant amount of money from a religious group. He criticized religious leaders for their hypocrisy, saying, “You look at the speck in someone else’s eye, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

The EFCC boss emphasized the importance of integrity among religious leaders, urging them to “not only preach but also demonstrate” good character to their congregations. “Just this last week, I have had cause to recover how many millions from a religious organization,” Olukoyede remarked.

He continued, “They appointed you a pastor, and that is when you become a big man. We don’t even know what you are doing to earn a legitimate living. You live on the ministry and the church or mosque money. You can’t even explain the source of your wealth. Some religious organizations are more corrupt than public offices. I have evidence towards that.”

Earlier in January, Olukoyede stated that the EFCC had uncovered a religious sect involved in laundering money for terrorists in Nigeria.