The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds belonging to churches, mosques and other faith-based organisations into private businesses.
Olukoyede described such diversion as criminal, stressing that money entrusted to religious organisations must be kept separate from the personal finances of their founders, clerics and other officials.
The EFCC chairman gave the warning on Wednesday at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, held under the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
He said religious leaders were free to engage in legitimate businesses such as farming and trading, but must not use funds belonging to their organisations to finance their private ventures.
Olukoyede urged churches, mosques and other religious bodies to establish proper financial controls and compliance systems to clearly distinguish organisational funds from personal income.
He said religious organisations generally operate as not-for-profit entities, adding that contributions made by worshippers should be applied for the purposes for which they were received.
The EFCC boss also recalled investigations into Christian and Muslim pilgrimage boards, saying the commission had uncovered what he described as serious financial irregularities during some of the investigations.
He further urged religious leaders to support the fight against corruption by promoting accountability, honest living and responsible attitudes towards wealth among their followers.
