EFCC returns N11.9 Million Stolen By RCCG Deacon to church (photos)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission last week handed over two cheques totalling N11.9m to a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Rivers State.

The amount was said to have been stolen by a deacon of the RCCG, Cyril Idakwoji.

The South-South Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, explained on Wednesday, that Idakwoji, a former employee of Access Bank, was the account officer of the church for the bank.

He said the suspect diverted the church funds to private use instead of transferring them to the church’s bank account.

Handing over the cheques to the pastor-in-charge of Province 4 of the RCCG, Salihu said;

“He (suspect) forged the letterheads of the church’s region 5 and the signature of the pastor in charge of the region.

He also forged the signature of the church’s accountant to execute his criminal schemes in the RCCG.”

The stolen funds were paid back by the bank, which had sacked the suspect.

Speaking after receiving the cheques from the anti-graft agency, the Pastor of Province 4 of the RCCG, Port Harcourt, Mr. Mark Barango, commended the EFCC for ensuring that the money was recovered.