Lagos Court Sentences Couple To 16 Years In Prison Over N52m Fraud

The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), to a combined 16 years in prison for fraud involving N52 million.

Justice Mojisola Dada also ordered the deregistration and closure of their affiliate, Temple International Church, citing its role in defrauding victims under the guise of religion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought a seven-count charge against the defendants, which included conspiracy, stealing, and obtaining money under false pretenses.

After the trial, Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt

The prosecution revealed that in March 2016, the couple converted N10 million belonging to the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola for personal use. Sold a property located at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja, for N42 million under the false claim that Harry Uyanwanne was authorized to sell it.

These offenses contravened the Advance Fee Fraud Act (2006) and the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2011).

The case was initiated in February 2020, with prosecution counsel Babatunde Sonoiki calling five witnesses. Justice Dada commended the prosecution’s thorough presentation, leading to the defendants’ conviction.