Jerry Eze, Senior Pastor of Streams of Joy International, has publicly responded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) investigation into alleged money laundering linked to him, expressing deep emotional distress during the probe and relief after being cleared. The investigation, which lasted six months, was initiated based on intelligence reports about large inflows of foreign currencies into an account connected to the pastor. Eze addressed the matter during a business grant event organized by his foundation in Abuja on Wednesday, where he opened up about the personal toll the investigation took on him.
He described the period as emotionally challenging, admitting he struggled to understand why he was being investigated despite believing he had done nothing wrong. Eze recalled moments of intense emotional pain, especially during his daily routines, including early morning drives to church programmes. “I wake up, I’m driving to NSPPD in the morning… You did me wrong. I must say it. I’m driving in the morning, and I’m crying, and I’m saying, ‘Jesus, Lord, you know.’ I prayed for you. I put your name on the altar because it looked like… I didn’t know what it was,” he shared, revealing his reliance on prayer during the ordeal.
The pastor also spoke about seeking comfort from close associates, including Pastor Poju and Pastor Sarah, as he tried to make sense of the situation. He expressed confusion and frustration, asking, “What did I do? I’ve not done anything. I don’t know why these people are after me.” Despite the pressure, Eze maintained his composure and cooperated fully with the EFCC, providing explanations for the funds, which he linked to ministry operations and charitable activities.
According to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the commission conducted a thorough review of Eze’s financial records after receiving intelligence about foreign currency transactions from multiple countries. Investigators traced the sources of the funds and found no evidence of wrongdoing. After questioning the pastor, the agency concluded that no offence had been committed. Olukoyede confirmed that the EFCC would not pursue further action and advised Eze to continue his work transparently, while the commission remains vigilant in monitoring financial activities nationwide.
Eze expressed profound gratitude to God for the outcome, stating, “But then again, the interesting thing is that when he came, he said, ‘We looked through your books, and we didn’t find anything wrong you did,’ and I am beyond grateful to God.” His experience underscores the importance of due process and transparency in financial investigations, especially in the public eye. As Nigeria continues to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts, cases like this highlight the need for balance between accountability and fairness. The outcome also serves as a reminder that investigations must be grounded in evidence, not suspicion alone.
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