The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has handed a 16-year prison sentence to a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), for defrauding individuals of N52 million. Additionally, their church, the Temple International Church, has been ordered to shut down and be deregistered due to its involvement in the fraudulent activities.
Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the ruling on Wednesday, finding the couple guilty of multiple charges, including stealing, fraudulent conversion, false representation, and fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a seven-count charge against the duo and their church, accusing them of exploiting religious platforms to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on February 25, 2020, were prosecuted by Mr. Babatunde Sonoiki. The prosecution presented five witnesses, while the defense called two witnesses in their case. After assessing the evidence, Justice Dada concluded that the prosecution had established their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Sentencing Details
On count one, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa were each sentenced to three years in prison. For counts two through six, Uyanwanne received a seven-year sentence, while Odemuyiwa was sentenced to three years. They were acquitted of count seven. The sentences are to run concurrently, with Uyanwanne serving a total of 10 years and Odemuyiwa six years.
Justice Dada emphasized the misuse of religious activities for fraudulent purposes, ordering the deregistration and permanent closure of the Temple International Church. “I order that the third convict should be deregistered and closed down,” she stated.
The court further directed the convicts to pay restitution of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days.
Details of the Fraud
According to the EFCC, the couple misappropriated N10 million belonging to the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa in March 2016. They also sold a property at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, for N42 million under the false pretense that Uyanwanne was authorized to sell it on behalf of the deceased owner.
The EFCC argued that these actions violated Section 1(2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, as well as Sections 278 and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria No. 11, 2011.
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