A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), to a combined total of 16 years in prison for their involvement in a N52 million fraud. The court also ordered the deregistration and closure of their church, Temple International Church, for using the church’s name to deceive and defraud people.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada on December 4, 2024, after finding the defendants guilty of multiple charges, including stealing, fraudulent conversion, and false representation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed seven counts against the accused.
The court heard that in March 2016, the couple illegally converted N10 million from the estate of the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa. They also fraudulently sold a property, Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja, to Mr. Kingsley Atere for N42 million, falsely claiming authorization to sell the property.
Justice Dada sentenced Uyanwanne to 10 years in prison, while Odemuyiwa was given a six-year sentence. The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, the couple was ordered to repay N31 million to the rightful complainant within 60 days.
The church, Temple International, was found guilty of exploiting its religious status to commit fraud and was consequently deregistered and shut down.
This conviction serves as a significant reminder of the legal consequences of fraudulent activities, especially when they are carried out under the guise of religious institutions.
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