Olukoyede Alleges 75% of Government Pilgrimage Funds Were Stolen in Past EFCC Investigation!

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has alleged that almost 75 per cent of government funds released to support religious pilgrims were stolen by officials involved in the administration of pilgrimage programmes.

Olukoyede made the disclosure in Abuja during the second 2026 Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), where the Anti-Corruption Interfaith Manual for religious leaders was also launched.

According to reports of his remarks, Olukoyede was referring to investigations conducted during his earlier service at the EFCC, when the commission examined the activities of bodies responsible for Christian and Muslim pilgrimages. He described some of the findings as disturbing and said investigators had uncovered serious financial irregularities.

The EFCC chairman alleged that, in one instance, nearly three-quarters of the government money released to sponsor pilgrims was stolen by officials connected with the programme. He also alleged that some officials established private companies in countries where Nigerian pilgrims travelled, raising concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

However, the reports of Olukoyede’s remarks did not identify the specific pilgrimage organisation, the location, the period covered by the investigation, the total amount of money involved or the officials allegedly responsible. The allegation therefore remains an account of previous investigative findings presented by the EFCC chairman and should not be treated as a fresh judicial finding against a named individual or organisation.

Olukoyede used the issue to broaden his appeal for stronger financial accountability within both government programmes and religious institutions. He argued that the fight against corruption should not be left entirely to law-enforcement agencies, saying religious communities have an important role in shaping the values and conduct of their members.

At the NIREC meeting, he urged pastors, imams and other religious leaders to use their influence to discourage corruption and challenge the social acceptance of unexplained wealth. He maintained that financial crimes should not be treated differently because of a suspect’s religious identity.

The EFCC chairman also warned religious organisations against mixing institutional funds with private business interests. He specifically referred to tithes, offerings, zakat and other contributions, stressing that money entrusted to religious institutions should be managed for its intended purposes.

The meeting also focused on the role of Christianity and Islam in promoting integrity, peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship. The Anti-Corruption Interfaith Manual was presented as a resource intended to help Christian and Muslim leaders incorporate anti-corruption teachings into their religious engagement.

The allegations surrounding pilgrimage funds raise broader questions about transparency in publicly funded religious programmes. Government sponsorship of pilgrimages involves public resources, making proper procurement, financial reporting, auditing and oversight important safeguards against misuse.

Olukoyede’s comments also come amid the EFCC’s wider engagement with religious organisations on corruption prevention. The commission has argued that faith communities can contribute to preventing financial crimes by promoting integrity before misconduct occurs, while the EFCC remains responsible for investigating suspected financial offences and pursuing cases where evidence supports prosecution.

The development has renewed attention on the need for clear accountability mechanisms around government-funded pilgrimage programmes, including transparent expenditure records, independent audits, conflict-of-interest safeguards and appropriate oversight of officials entrusted with public funds.

For now, the 75 per cent figure remains an allegation attributed to Olukoyede concerning findings from previous EFCC investigations.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede alleges that almost 75% of government funds released for religious pilgrimages were stolen in findings from previous investigations.