A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), alongside their church, Temple International Church, for engaging in fraudulent activities.
Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the verdict on Wednesday after finding the couple guilty of several offences, including stealing, dishonest conversion, false presentation, and fraud. The court also ordered the deregistration and closure of Temple International Church for its role in using the name of God and the church to defraud individuals.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed seven counts against the convicts, who were arraigned on February 25, 2020. During the trial, the EFCC presented five witnesses, while the defence called two.
Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction of both defendants.
Harry Uyanwanne was sentenced to three years in prison for count one and seven years for counts two to six. Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa, also known as Kristein Uyanwanne, was sentenced to three years for count one and six years for counts two to six. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The court also ordered that the convicts restitute the sum of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgment.
According to the EFCC, in March 2016, the couple dishonestly converted N10 million, the property of the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa, for their personal use. They also falsely sold a property, Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja, to Mr. Kingsley Atere for N42 million, falsely claiming that Harry Uyanwanne was authorized to sell the property by the rightful owner.
The charges contravened the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act and the Criminal Law of Lagos State.