Pastor, Wife Jailed 10 Years For ₦52 Million Fraud, Church Shut Down

The Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced Pastor Harry Uyanwanne and his wife, Kristen, to 10 years in prison for defrauding congregants of ₦52 million through their church, Temple International Church.

Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the judgment on Wednesday, convicting the couple on seven counts of fraud and theft brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court ordered the deregistration and permanent closure of their church, which had been implicated in the misappropriation of funds.

The EFCC’s charges, filed in February 2020, revealed that the couple fraudulently obtained ₦10 million from a deceased congregant, Mrs. Adeola Odemuyiwa. Additionally, they sold a property in Magodo, Lagos, for ₦42 million under false pretenses, claiming Pastor Harry had the authority to carry out the transaction.

Pastor Harry received a three-year sentence for the first charge and seven years for the subsequent charges, with the terms to run concurrently. Kristen was acquitted on one of the charges but remains sentenced for her role in the fraud. The court further mandated the couple to repay ₦31 million to the complainant within 60 days.

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

Justice Dada emphasized the need for accountability among religious leaders, noting that the case highlights increasing efforts to curb financial misconduct within religious institutions.