Crime

How Pastor and Wife was Jailed for 10 Years Over ₦52 Million Embezzlement Scheme

Published by Tope Fakinlede on December 6th, 2024.

How Pastor and Wife was Jailed for 10 Years Over ₦52 Million Embezzlement Scheme

Jail

Pastor Harry Uyanwanne and his wife, Kristen, have been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison for embezzling ₦52 million through their church, Temple International Church, following a ruling by the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada on Wednesday, found the couple guilty of seven charges related to fraud and theft brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As part of the ruling, the court also ordered the deregistration and permanent closure of the couple’s church.

The charges, filed by the EFCC in February 2020, revealed that the Uyanwannes misappropriated ₦10 million from the estate of a deceased woman, Mrs. Adeola Odemuyiwa, and illegally sold a property in Magodo, Lagos, for ₦42 million. They falsely claimed that Pastor Harry had the authority to carry out the sale.

Pastor Harry was sentenced to three years for the first charge and seven years for charges two through six, with the terms to run concurrently. Kristen was acquitted on the seventh charge. In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered the couple to repay ₦31 million to the victim within 60 days.

The EFCC argued that the couple’s actions violated provisions of the 2006 Advance Fee Fraud Act and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat financial misconduct among religious leaders.