A dramatic case of fraud involving a Lagos pastor and his wife has ended in a heavy sentence and the closure of their church.
Pastor Harry Uyanwanne and his wife, Kristen, founders of Temple International Church, will spend the next 10 years behind bars.
The couple was convicted of embezzling N52 million in a case that has shaken the faith of their congregation.
The Ikeja Special Offences Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, handed down the judgment on Wednesday.
“This is a betrayal of trust,” Justice Dada declared, as she found the couple guilty on seven charges of fraud and theft.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against the Uyanwannnes in February 2020, unveiling shocking details of their fraudulent activities.
The first offense involved misappropriating N10 million belonging to a deceased woman, Mrs. Adeola Odemuyiwa.
According to the EFCC, the couple exploited the deceased’s estate, diverting the funds for personal use.
The second scandal revolved around a property in Magodo, Lagos, which the couple sold under false pretenses.
The court heard that Pastor Harry claimed to have the authority to sell the property, which fetched N42 million.
“These actions violate not just legal principles but moral ones as well,” the EFCC counsel stated in court.
The EFCC argued that the couple’s actions breached the 2006 Advance Fee Fraud Act and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice Dada sentenced Pastor Harry to three years in prison on the first charge and seven years on charges two through six.
The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Harry will spend a maximum of seven years behind bars.
Kristen was acquitted on the seventh charge, but the court did not spare her from the 10-year sentence.
In addition to their prison terms, the court ordered the deregistration and permanent closure of Temple International Church.
“This church cannot continue to operate as a front for criminal activities,” Justice Dada declared.
Furthermore, the couple was ordered to repay N31 million to the complainant within 60 days.
Failure to comply with this directive could lead to additional legal consequences.
The EFCC celebrated the judgment, describing it as a victory for accountability within religious institutions.
“This case sends a clear message: no one is above the law, not even religious leaders,” an EFCC spokesperson said.
The trial exposed how the couple exploited the trust of their congregation and unsuspecting individuals.
The news of the sentencing has sent shockwaves through Lagos and beyond.
Some members of the defunct Temple International Church expressed disbelief at the revelations.
“I never thought our pastor could do such a thing,” said a former church member who chose to remain anonymous.
Others, however, have called for stricter oversight of religious organizations to prevent such abuses.
“It’s time for the government to regulate churches more effectively,” said Mr. Adeola Ajayi, a social commentator.
This case highlights growing concerns over financial misconduct among religious leaders in Nigeria.
Instances of fraud and exploitation within religious circles have raised questions about accountability and transparency.
The EFCC has ramped up efforts to investigate and prosecute such cases, with the Uyanwanne conviction serving as a high-profile example.
Observers believe the case may set a precedent for how fraudulent practices in religious institutions are handled.