Court Convicts Couple for Stealing In God’s Name
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristin Uyanwanne), alongside Temple International Church, to 10 years in prison for stealing 52 million naira.
Justice Dada also ordered the deregistration and closure of Temple International Church for misusing the name of God and the church to defraud others.
While delivering her judgment, the judge found the defendants guilty on seven counts brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The couple was arraigned by the EFCC on February 25, 2020, and they pleaded not guilty, leading to a trial. During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, called five witnesses, while the defence called two witnesses.
The judge determined that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in the guilty verdict.
For count one, Justice Dada sentenced the couple to three years in prison. For counts two to six, the first defendant, Harry Uyanwanne, received a sentence of seven years.
The second defendant, Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa, was sentenced to three years but was discharged and acquitted on count seven. Hence, Uyanwanne will serve a total of 10 years, while Odemuyiwa will serve six years, with the sentences running concurrently.
Additionally, Justice Dada ordered that Temple International Church be deregistered and closed, and required the convicts to pay restitution of 31 million naira to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgment.
It was alleged during the trial that in March 2016, the couple dishonestly converted 10 million naira, belonging to the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola, for their personal use.
They also allegedly sold a property known as Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, to a man named Mr. Kingsley Atere for 42 million naira, falsely claiming that the first defendant was authorized to sell the property by its bona fide owner, the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola.
Their offences are contrary to Section 1 (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, and sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria No. 11 of 2011.
