Men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for being ”an agent of transformation.”
This commendation was given by one of the regional ministers of the
church, Pastor Mark Barango, while receiving a sum of N11, 984, 844,
11, recovered and returned to the church by the EFCC.
church, Pastor Mark Barango, while receiving a sum of N11, 984, 844,
11, recovered and returned to the church by the EFCC.
“My impression with the work of the EFCC is that it is perfect,
perfect, perfect. The EFCC is an agent of transformation. Their work is
perfect and the church is grateful that the money is returned to us”, he said.
perfect, perfect. The EFCC is an agent of transformation. Their work is
perfect and the church is grateful that the money is returned to us”, he said.
Mr. Ishaq Salihu, South- South Zonal Head of the EFCC, in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State handed over the money to him. The money was
stolen by a banker and the Account Officer of the church, Ameh Cyril
Idakwoji, in a web of fraudulent diversion and suppression of the
finances of the church.
Harcourt, Rivers State handed over the money to him. The money was
stolen by a banker and the Account Officer of the church, Ameh Cyril
Idakwoji, in a web of fraudulent diversion and suppression of the
finances of the church.
Troubles came for Idakwoji when Access Bank Plc petitioned the EFCC
about some missing funds in the accounts of one of its corporate
customers in Port Harcourt.
about some missing funds in the accounts of one of its corporate
customers in Port Harcourt.
The customer, Jepthah International School, East- West Road, Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, could not access N37,000,000 in its account with
the bank. The bank traced the scam to one of its staff, Idakwoji and
named him the mastermind of the fraudulent dealings.
Harcourt, Rivers State, could not access N37,000,000 in its account with
the bank. The bank traced the scam to one of its staff, Idakwoji and
named him the mastermind of the fraudulent dealings.
Idakwoji doubled as the Account Officer of Jepthah International
School and Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State. He defrauded the RCCG by suppressing and diverting cheques
and cash meant for the Church to cover his shady deals in Jepthah
International School.
School and Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 5, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State. He defrauded the RCCG by suppressing and diverting cheques
and cash meant for the Church to cover his shady deals in Jepthah
International School.
He was covering up by giving fake Statements of Accounts to both
the school and the church. To execute his criminal schemes in RCCG, he
forged the letter heads of the church’s Region 5 and the signatures of
the Pastor in charge of the Region. He also forged the signature of the
church’s accountant and attached same to the August 2017 Salary Schedule
of Jepthah International school to the tune of (N7, 129, 128. 78).
the school and the church. To execute his criminal schemes in RCCG, he
forged the letter heads of the church’s Region 5 and the signatures of
the Pastor in charge of the Region. He also forged the signature of the
church’s accountant and attached same to the August 2017 Salary Schedule
of Jepthah International school to the tune of (N7, 129, 128. 78).
The Church denied giving instruction for the payment of the salary
of the school. Investigations by the Commission uncovered all the
criminal movements of the fund of the church by Idakwoji and a sum of
N11, 987, 844.11 found to have been stolen have now been recovered and
returned to the church.
of the school. Investigations by the Commission uncovered all the
criminal movements of the fund of the church by Idakwoji and a sum of
N11, 987, 844.11 found to have been stolen have now been recovered and
returned to the church.
It will be recalled that a sum of N36,000,000, recovered from
Idakwoji, was returned to the management of Jepthah International School
by the EFCC in September.
Idakwoji, was returned to the management of Jepthah International School
by the EFCC in September.
While presenting the money to the church, Salihu emphasized the
commitment of the EFCC to bursting any financial and economic scam, no
matter how complex. He reiterated the zero-tolerance of the Commission
for corrupt practices and warned criminal elements in the country to
desist from fraudulent practices.
commitment of the EFCC to bursting any financial and economic scam, no
matter how complex. He reiterated the zero-tolerance of the Commission
for corrupt practices and warned criminal elements in the country to
desist from fraudulent practices.
“Crime and criminality are not limited to any group of people.
They have no creed, no gender and no religion. The RCCG is a large
church and we are pleased to have been able to recover the stolen money
for the church”, he said.
They have no creed, no gender and no religion. The RCCG is a large
church and we are pleased to have been able to recover the stolen money
for the church”, he said.
An appreciative Pastor Barango promised that the church will continue to pray for the continued success of the Commission.