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Lagos-based Prophet Sentenced To 7Years Imprisonment For Defrauding His Church Member Of $137K

Published

2 years ago

September 23, 2022

A self-acclaimed prophet based in Lagos State identified as Cletus Ilongwo has reportedly been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding his church member.
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Cletus Ilongwo who happens to be the Presiding Pastor of the Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry was found guilty of seven count charges on fraud and stealing after defrauding his church member of $137,275 equivalent to N59.7 million.

In her ruling, Justice Sherifat Solebo directed that the complainant be given the property that belonged to the convict and was located at No. 3 Popoola Ajayi St., Diamond Estate in Amuwo Odofin.

“His Toyota Prado is also to be forfeited to the Federal Government as restitution to settle the complainant,” Solebo said.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convict duped one Mr. Obinna Ezenwaka, a former member of his church, on January 29, 2016. Ilongwo received the money in installments through his Zenith Bank account 1003*, according to EFCC attorney Nwandu Ukoha’s testimony in court.

According to Ukoha, the convict received the money from Ezenwaka on several occasions in 2016 under the pretense of assisting him in buying a home at 165c Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. The defense attorney, Mr. Albert Imolodia, told the court in his allocutus that the defendant was a first-time offender.

However, the EFCC attorney urged the court to impose the maximum sentence permitted by law and a restitution order in accordance with the Advance Fee Fraud Act on the convicted party.