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Court Jails Lagos-Based Couple For 16 Years, Deregisters Their Church, Temple International Church Over N52million Fraud

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2 months ago

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The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa, also known as Kristein Uyanwanne, to 16 years in prison for defrauding individuals of N52 million.

Their church, the Temple International Church, was also ordered to be deregistered and closed for its role in the fraud.

Justice Mojisola Dada delivered the verdict on Wednesday, convicting the couple of charges including stealing, dishonest conversion, false presentation, and fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had brought a seven-count charge against the duo and their church.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants used the guise of religious activities to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

The couple had pleaded not guilty when arraigned on February 25, 2020, prompting the prosecution to present its case.

The Prosecuting counsel, Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, called five witnesses to testify against the defendants, while the defence presented two witnesses.

Meanwhile, after reviewing the evidence, Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Dada has sentenced the duo of Harry Uyanwanne and Odemuyiwa to various terms of imprisonment on charges of fraud and false representation.

On count one, both were sentenced to three years imprisonment. For counts two to six, Uyanwanne received a seven-year prison term, while Odemuyiwa was sentenced to three years. However, the court acquitted them of count seven.
Meanwhile, Uyanwanne was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, and Odemuyiwa, also known as Kristein Uyanwanne, received six years. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Dada further ordered the deregistration and closure of the third convict, Temple International Church, citing its misuse of the name of God and the church to defraud people.

“I order that the third convict should be deregistered and closed down,” the judge declared.

The court also directed the convicts to restitute the sum of N31million to the nominal complainant within 60 days.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that in March 2016, the convicts dishonestly converted N10 million belonging to the late Mrs Janet Adeola Odemuyiwa for personal use.
They also sold a property located at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government, for N42 million under the false pretense that the first convict was authorised to sell it on behalf of the late owner.
The EFCC argued that these acts violated Section 1(2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, as well as Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria No. 11, 2011.

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DSS Arrests, Detains Lagos House of Assembly Members Over Obasa’s Removal As Speaker

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5 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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The last may not have been heard over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly as two members of the House, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu are currently being detained at the DSS office in the State.

 

According to an impeccable source from the House, the two are facing interrogation in connection with the removal of Hon Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

 

 

Obasa was removed as Speaker by the majority of the members on January 13 and replaced with the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

 

 

In solidarity with their colleagues, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojeed Fatai with some other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their release.

 

 

Details later…

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Society

EFCC Arrests Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

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6 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Society Reporters reports that The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television during a phone interview on Wednesday.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was taken into custody following a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives.

 

 

The Commission has announced that he is scheduled to be arraigned today January 30, 2025.

 

 

This arrest follows a petition submitted to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, citing allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was dismissed from his position in 2019, a decision made seven months after a fact-finding panel from the Federal Ministry of Health recommended his removal due to alleged mismanagement of 919 million Naira.

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Society

Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

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6 days ago

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January 29, 2025

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

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