The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State has on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (a.k.a Kristein Uyanwanne) to a combined 16-year imprisonment for stealing N52 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada handed down the verdict after finding them guilty of the offences preferred against them.
Justice Dada also ordered that the third defendant, (Temple International Church) be deregistered and closed down for using the name of God and church to defraud people.
The judge while delivering judgement found the 3 defendants guilty of a seven counts charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC had filed seven counts bordering on stealing, dishonest conversion, false presentation and fraud against the convicts.
The anti-graft commission had arraigned the couple on February 25, 2020. At their arraignment, they pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution commenced trial.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki called five witnesses while the defence counsel called two witnesses.
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The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore found both defendants guilty.
On count one, Justice Dada sentenced the duo to three years imprisonment, while on count two to six, the first defendant was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
Second defendant (Odemuyiwa) was sentenced three years imprisonment but discharged and acquitted them on count seven.
Uyanwanne is sentenced to 10 years, Odemuyiwa (a.k.a Kristein Uyanwanne) is sentenced to six years. The judge ordered that the sentence is to run concurrently.
The judge also ordered the convicts to make restitution of the sum of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgment.
It would be recalled that the prosecution had alleged that sometime in March 2016, the duo dishonestly converted to their own use the sum of N10 million, the property of the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola.
Also, the defendants with false intent to defraud, allegedly sold the property known as Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government to one Mr. Kingsley Atere for the sum of N42 million on the false presentation that the first defendant was authorised to sell the property by the owner, the late Mrs. Odemuyiwa Janet Adeola.
Their offences are said to be contrary to 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.
