Badejo backs EFCCs bid to probe churches


The General Overseer of the Four Square Gospel Church, Rev. Wilson Badejo, on Tuesday said the planned probe of churches by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was a welcome development.

Badejo said this while briefing newsmen in Lagos on the activities to mark this years Rev. Samuel Odunaike Memorial lecture.

He said there was nothing strange in the EFCC beaming its searchlight on churches, since the church is also a part of the society.”

SATURDAY PUNCH had reported a move by the EFCC to extend its investigation to some churches to determine whether or not they were involved in money laundering and other related offences.

Badejo said, Let the EFCC beam its searchlight on the church; let them come. If it comes and finds nothing incriminating, then the church has every reason to beat its chest. But if it comes and find the church wanting, then the church has to look inward and re-evaluate things and make amendments.”

'Ts about time judgment began @the house of God.

But this is totally uncalled for and unnecessary because the churches is under the control of God and not man.Likewise the punishment of the church lies with God.So the churches should not be mix with politics at all!!!!!


Those in support of this moves especially pastors are doing it out of lack of proper biblical understanding and have hidden agenda I think, probably to put everybody on the same level and standard of operation, but totally bad aswell because God gave them (THE PASTORS) different callings and operations which determines their VISION.EPH.4;11-16

It appears the end is near for EFCC, the way they are behaving these days reminds me of the wounded lion - indeed their expiry date is near.

akintos_o:

But this is totally uncalled for and unnecessary because the churches is under the control of God and not man.Likewise the punishment of the church lies with God.So the churches should not be mix with politics at all!!!!!


Those in support of this moves especially pastors are doing it out of lack of proper biblical understanding and have hidden agenda I think, probably to put everybody on the same level and standard of operation, but totally bad aswell because God gave them (THE PASTORS) different callings and operations which determines their VISION.EPH.4;11-16

otokx:

It appears the end is near for EFCC, the way they are behaving these days reminds me of the wounded lion - indeed their expiry date is near.

  @akintos o
  @otokx

There is absolutely nothing wrong with EFCC probing churches-in fact I believe it's long overdue.
What gives y'all the impression church funds can't be used for criminal activities? Meeen wake up!This is 2006!!
Anything is possible n'guess what-everything is happening!!

U guys prob'ly need to take a look @ Rom13:1-5 in the light of your earlier posts.
 
  Rom13:1-5

  Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities.For there is no authority but of God;the authorities that exist are ordained by God.
  So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God;and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves.
  For the rulers are not a terror to good works,but to the bad.And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority?Do the good,and you shall have praise from it.
  For it is a servant of God to you for good.For if you practice evil,be afraid for it does not bear the sword in vain;for it is a servant of God,a revenger for wrath on him who does evil.
  Therefore you must be subject,not only for wrath,but also for conscience'sake.

   Do you realise that Paul was addressing the church in Rome not the politicians(or the general populace)of Rome?
  Case-in-point D'you recall that rarely in the natural history of the children of Israel(which is a type of the church today)did God come down physically to punish them whenever they sinned n'rebelled against Him.
He mostly used the military might of other nations to enforce judgment on the nation of Israel-His own chosen ones!
  EFCC cannot punish the church;it's practically impossible n'there's even no basis for it.They can only apprehend managers of church finances who stray from the path of probity n'involve themselves in any unwholesome financial crimes.
  If their hands are clean,they have no reason on earth to be jittery.

Rom13:4
 
  For it is a servant of God to you for good.For if you practice evil,be afraid,for it does not bear the sword in vain;for it is a servant of God,a revenger for wrath on him who does evil.

I think money laundering is wrong and an offence so it's ok for the EFCC to check that out.

If we leave church matters to God then pastors can as well kill people and expect us to wait for God to handle them.

The issue here is money laundering not the mode of preaching.

Yes, let them go ahead. EFCC can probe churches that were built by the government, and not churches that were established and built by individuals or group. What kind of nonsense is that?? One day they would want to probe our various families to know how we spend our hard earned money. Nonesense!! I think government are looking for ways to start controlling churches. When will they probe mosques and shrines God never fire dem thats why.

Looking at some of the responses in this thread makes it a little clearer why it's so hard for Nigeria to progress.

@TAYOD


@BOLARGE & AFAM


Dear fellow Nairalanders,
Let us call a spade a spade, what is bad is bad!!This call is bad for the church. Absolutely it is a waste of time and energy on the part of the EFCC to dissipate their energy on this call, simply because it won't work!

Remember, if the wall does not crack the lizard won't have room 4 penetration.It is the problem of Dis-unity among the body of christ that instigated this call, but at the end of the day the question we have to ask ourselves is, to whose benefit? to whose advantag will christ be happy to see His church in this state when He comesAt the end of the day,who will stand?Think about this and leave sentimental submissions.

Christ is more than able to cleanse His church.JEREMIAH 48:10

The thinking of some Nigerians is absolutely medieval!

EFCC is charged with investigating and dealing with all cases of corruption and/or money laundry in the sovereign state of Nigeria and/or affecting the finances of the sovereign state of Nigeria. If a church is being used as a front for corruption and/or money laundry in Nigeria, then it falls under the scope of the EFCC.

Stop quoting Bible verses to justify thievery!

@akintos_o,

It is funny how you mentioned my name on this forum when I have not even conribued to it.  Is it my contribution on a similar topic in the religion section that's still hunting you?

As you have clearly shown here, you have absolutely no basis for asking EFCC to stay away from churches when there is a need to.  Someone even quoted the scriptures to you (which I refered to in the religion section), but all you can do is talk about lizards.  How shallow.

The fact is that EFCC has no right to just walk into any church and start looking into its finances.  However, if there is a justification for it, like an accusation of money laundering and corruption as we see in the case of Christ Embassy (http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/03/30/20030330rel01.html), then the EFCC or any other agency of the Goverment has every right to go in and punish those who are responsible.  No one, including Pastrs should be above the law.  Even God subjects Himself to working within the bounds of the law.  Disregard for the law is what is called lawlessness and guess who the Bible refers to as the lawless one?

@TayoD and Akintos_o,
Hi guys, kindly calm down both of you, I am appealing. A potentially important discussion risks being derailed by the exchange of vituperations. TayoD made a legitimate reference to the Christ Embassy issue but we can benefit from a 'clarification' if the story is not as we 'heard'.

Now back to the issue; I am a christian and I am not one of those who believe we christians need to talk as if we are not living in the world, but we ARE NOT OF THE WORLD by the nature and kingdom of Christ INSIDE us. Jesus said 'Give what belong to Caesar unto Caesar'. How is this relevant?: Anything we do, and how we do it, is important because it has potential to bring either shame or glory to the name of our Lord. If there is any financial impropiety allegation against any church or while investigating such a case, if it leads to a church, such a church MUST subjects it's whole account to the relevant regulatory/investigating authority. I believe this is the position of TayoD and I am in total support of this. This is not a case of rivalry or disunity in the body of christ but maintaining the integrity of the body of christ in accordance to the prevailing laws of the land we live in. Here in the UK, there is a Charity Commission that monitors all donations made to every organisation that receives donations(church, mosques, NGO etc); even church offerings etc are considered as charity donations. It is working very well and ensures that they spend whatever money they receive accountably, and it helps ensure confidence in the system. Saying 'God will judge' or that 'church is under the control of God' is not scripturally correct to use as an excuse for the body of christ to operate below the standard principle of accountability in any nation, in fact we must operate far above board as an example to the 'world' of the nature of Christ in us.

This is actually a sensitive issue but somethings must be said. God is the head of the Church but it is humans who manage the funds and humans are susceptible to making errors. If need be, it will be a brilliant idea for EFCC to probe the Church. The Church is not above the Law especially if it can be proven that they partake in such activities. Laundering the money of the masses should never be supported at all no matter who is involved in it.