A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (a.k.a. Kristein Uyanwanne), alongside their organization, Temple International Church, for fraud-related offences.

Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the judgment on Wednesday, finding the defendants guilty of charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Sentencing and Restitution

The court sentenced Harry Uyanwanne to 10 years in prison and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa to six years. The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, the judge ordered Temple International Church to be deregistered and closed down for misusing its religious status to perpetrate fraud.

The convicts were also directed to restitute ₦31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days.

Fraudulent Activities

The EFCC accused the defendants of converting ₦10 million belonging to the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa for personal use. They were also found guilty of fraudulently selling a property—Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja—for ₦42 million under false pretenses.

The prosecution proved that Harry Uyanwanne falsely claimed authorization to sell the property on behalf of its deceased owner.

Charges and Convictions

The couple faced seven counts of stealing, dishonest conversion, false representation, and fraud.

• Harry Uyanwanne received seven years imprisonment for counts two to six and three years for count one.
• Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa was sentenced to three years for count one and acquitted of count seven.
• Temple International Church was ordered to shut down permanently for facilitating fraudulent activities under the guise of religion.

Justice Dada emphasized the seriousness of exploiting religious trust for personal gain, stating, “Using the name of God and the church to defraud people is unacceptable.”

Legal Context

The offences contravened:

• Section 1 (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
• Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State No. 11 of 2011.

This judgment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for crimes that undermine public trust and the integrity of religious institutions.