Harry Uyanwanne and Oluwakemi Odia, also known as Kristein Uyanwanne, have been sentenced again. The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja delivered the judgment on Monday. Justice Mojisola Dada convicted them of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money by false pretence. The fraud involved ₦67.6 million.
The couple are repeat offenders. In December 2024, the same court sentenced Uyanwanne to 10 years and Odia to six years for a separate ₦52 million fraud. That case involved the sale of a property in Magodo, Lagos. The court ordered the closure of Temple International Church, which was a co-defendant, and directed the couple to pay ₦31 million in restitution. They were back in court two years later on new charges. The pattern suggests that the earlier sentence did not deter them.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted the case. The charges arose from the fraudulent sale of a property at No. 19, Murtala Mohammed Way, Ebute Meta, Oyingbo, Lagos. The property belonged to the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Moshood Babatunde Odemuyiwa. The couple sold it in 2010 for ₦16 million. They falsely claimed they had authority from the beneficiaries to sell. The EFCC said they knew they had no such authority.
The couple pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called three witnesses and tendered documents. The defence called one witness. Justice Dada held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She sentenced them to three years for conspiracy, one year for stealing and 10 years for obtaining money by false pretence, without an option of fine. The EFCC did not disclose whether the sentences would run concurrently or consecutively. If consecutive, each defendant faces 14 years. If concurrent, 10 years. The judge ordered Uyanwanne’s sentence suspended until he is apprehended. He was not in court. The judge also ordered the couple to refund the petitioner, Olusola Odemuyiwa.
Winners: The EFCC, which secured a conviction. The petitioner, who may recover funds. The court, which asserted process. Losers: The couple, who face prison again. Their family. The property market, which suffers from fraud. Buyers who transact without verification. The earlier victims, who may still await restitution.
Bottom Line: Two convictions in two years. The couple defrauded different victims using the same method. The court has sentenced them again. Uyanwanne is at large. The sentence is suspended until he is found. Until he is apprehended, the judgment is partial. Property fraud thrives because title verification is weak. The new real estate regulator cannot come soon enough.