A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (also known as Kristein Uyanwanne), to prison terms for fraud ¹. The couple was found guilty of dishonestly converting the sum of N10 million for their own use, property of the late Mrs. Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa, in March 2016.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed seven counts bordering on stealing, dishonest conversion, false presentation, and fraud against the convicts. The couple pleaded not guilty when arraigned on February 25, 2020, prompting the prosecution to commence trial [2).
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Babatunde Sonoiki, called five witnesses, while the defense called two witnesses. Delivering the judgment, Justice Mojisola Dada held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Dada sentenced the duo to three years imprisonment on count one. Harry Uyanwanne received a seven-year sentence on counts two to six, while Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa received three years. However, they were discharged and acquitted on count seven [3).
In addition, Harry Uyanwanne was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, while Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa received six years. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Temple International Church, the third defendant, was ordered to be deregistered and closed down for using the name of God and the church to defraud people.
Justice Dada stated, “Using the name of God and church to defraud people, I order that the third convict should be deregistered and closed down.”
The EFCC alleged that the convicts sold a property, Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, to Mr. Kingsley Atere for N42 million, falsely presenting that Harry Uyanwanne was authorized to sell the property.
The offences committed contravened Section 1 (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 2006 and Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria No. 11, 2011.
The judge ordered the convicts to restitute the sum of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgment.
