Skip to main content

FAKE PASTOR JAILED 7YEARS FOR M59. 7M FRAUD

 N59.7m Fraud: Court Jails Pastor Seven Years In Lagos



Justice Sherifah Solebo of the Special Offences Court siting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted and  sentenced  Cletus Ilongwo, Presiding Pastor, Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, to seven years in prison for N59.7m fraud.


Ilongwo was first arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 5, 2018 on  11-count charges , to which he pleaded "not guilty".


He was subsequently re-arraigned on June 16, 2022 on an amended seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N59.7million.


One of the counts reads: "Cletus Ilongwo, on or about the 29th day of January, 2016, at Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N10millon, being money received through your Zenith Bank account from Obinna Ezenwaka meant for the purchase of the property situated at No 165c, Block 12, Diamond Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.”


He again pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. 


Prosecuting counsels: Ahmed Yerima, Nkemruwem Anana and Nwandu Ukoha presented several witnesses through whom documentary evidences were tendered in court against him.


One of the witnesses and victim,  Obinna Ezenwaka, had, in his testimony, alleged that he was introduced to the defendant sometime in 2015 when he was seeking a solution to his "spiritual problem".


Ezenwaka, also a former employee of Fidelity Bank Plc, claimed that Ilongwo lured him to part with N59,760,000 under the guise that he would use same to purchase a property located at Diamond Estate, Festac Town, with the assurance  that they would resell it to a Chinese company at the cost of N150million.


The defendant, however, reneged on his promise, thereby prompting the complainant to petition the EFCC.


Delivering judgment on Thursday,  Justice Solebo found him guilty on seven counts of fraud and stealing and sentenced him to seven years in prison for the N59.7million fraud.


The trial judge also ordered the forfeiture of his property situated at 3, Popoola Ajayi Street, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin and his Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle,   to the Federal Government as a restitution to settle the complainant.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2024 EDO GUBER: ... to be indifferent, is dangerous -Oduma warns

 2024 EDO GUBER: ... to be indifferent, is dangerous  -Oduma warns By: Oriaifoh Godwins The people, and electorates of Edo state has been called upon to join in changing the ugly narrative that is currently putting Edo state in the rear seat in terms of growth and development amongst the comity of progressing states in Nigeria.  The All Progressives Congress, APC, Assistant Deputy Director for Mobilisation, in Edo central Senatorial district, Hon. Chief Robert Okoinemen, aka the Oduma of the universe, made this call recently while speaking with a team of Journalists in Uromi, Esan North East local government area of Edo state. Speaking, Chief Okoinemen, who lamented that many Edo people, including those that  supported governor Godwin Obaseki's second tenure election, are all regretting today. He said; "myself and a couple of other people warned us on the devastating implications of giving Obaseki a second chance, but people turned deaf ears to our warnings" " Myself...
Post a Comment
Read more

Edo State Commissioner For Justice, Chairman, LG Service Commission, Suspended

Edo State Commissioner For Justice, Chairman, LG Service Commission, Suspended By: Our Correspondent The Edo state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Samson Osagie and the Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani, has been suspended from their offices over allegations of financial infractions. The suspension of the two very important officers, which is with immediate effect, is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor Esq.  Governor Okpebholo consequently ordered the setting up of a panel to investigate the allegations of financial infractions levelled against Osagie and Lawani, and make appropriate recommendations to the governor. The statement read thus: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension from office, of the Chairman of Edo State Loca...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gov Okpebholo restores full statutory rights to Oba of Benin

Gov Okpebholo restores full statutory rights to Oba of Benin  In a bid to further right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the Government and the people, the Edo State Governor,  Senator Monday Okpebholo has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces. Also, the State Government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.  “This administration is restoring the centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose. “This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.” Accordingly, Governor Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditiona...
Post a Comment
Read more