An Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Kristen Uyanwanne, to 10 years imprisonment for defrauding their church and others of N52 million.
The couple, alongside their church, Temple International Church, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 25, 2020, on a seven-count charge of stealing and fraud.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Mojisola Dada found the couple guilty of multiple charges, ordering the immediate deregistration and closure of the church.
Harry Uyanwanne was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on counts two to six, while both Harry and Kristen received a three-year jail term on count one.
However, Kristen was acquitted on count seven. The sentences will run concurrently.
In addition to the prison terms, the court directed the convicts to restitute N31 million to the complainant within 60 days.
According to the EFCC, in March 2016, the couple dishonestly converted N10 million belonging to the late Mrs. Adeola Odemuyiwa to their personal use.
The prosecution also revealed that the convicts fraudulently sold a property at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo, Lagos, for N42 million to one Kingsley Atere under the pretense that Harry was authorized to sell the property.
Justice Dada noted that the offences violated sections 1(2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and sections 278 and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The judgment underscores the commitment of the judiciary to tackling financial crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.
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