A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), along with Temple International Church, to 10 years imprisonment for stealing N52 million.
The trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, also ordered the deregistration and closure of Temple International Church, stating that it was used to defraud people under the guise of religion.
The court found the couple guilty of a seven-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency had arraigned the couple on February 25, 2020, where they pleaded not guilty, prompting the commencement of trial.
During the proceedings, the EFCC’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, called five witnesses, while the defence presented two witnesses. Delivering judgement, Justice Dada held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
On count one, the court sentenced the couple to three years imprisonment each. On counts two to six, Harry Uyanwanne was sentenced to seven years, while Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa received three years imprisonment. Both were discharged and acquitted on count seven. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in 10 years for Uyanwanne and six years for Odemuyiwa.
The judge ordered the convicts to restitute N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days.
The prosecution had accused the couple of dishonestly converting N10 million, belonging to the late Mrs Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola, for personal use in March 2016. Additionally, they were alleged to have fraudulently sold Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Council, to one Mr Kingsley Atere for N42 million, falsely claiming authorisation from the deceased property owner.
Their actions contravened 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.
