A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on December 4, convicted a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa, also known as Kristein Uyanwanne, alongside their church, Temple International Church, for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that involved the theft of ₦52 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada, presiding over the case, handed down prison sentences to the defendants and ordered the deregistration and closure of the church.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a seven-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of stealing, dishonest conversion, false representation, and other fraudulent activities. The charges stemmed from allegations that the couple and their church exploited the name of God to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty when arraigned on February 25, 2020, leading to a trial in which the prosecution, represented by Babatunde Sonoiki, presented five witnesses. The defense, in turn, called two witnesses.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Dada ruled that the EFCC had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced Harry Uyanwanne to seven years imprisonment on counts two through six and three years on count one. His wife, Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa, received three years imprisonment on count one and six years on the remaining counts. The court acquitted both defendants on count seven. Justice Dada also ruled that the sentences for each defendant would run concurrently.
Addressing the fraudulent use of religion, Justice Dada stated emphatically, “Using the name of God and the church to defraud people is reprehensible. I hereby order that Temple International Church be deregistered and closed down.”
The court further mandated the convicts to pay restitution of ₦31 million to the complainant within 60 days from the judgment date.
The EFCC had presented evidence showing that in March 2016, the couple dishonestly converted ₦10 million belonging to the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa for personal use. Furthermore, they were found to have fraudulently sold property located at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, for ₦42 million. They falsely claimed that Harry Uyanwanne was authorized to sell the property by its legal owner, the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa.
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, 2011.
