Lagos Pastor Jailed For Fraud

A Special Offences Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced one Cletus Ilongwo, presiding Pastor of Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, to seven years in prison.

This comes after the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) arraigned Cletus on a 11-count charges, which he pleaded not guilty to, in 2018.

Cletus is said to have been 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.

He had pleaded not guilty to  the charges read to him.

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.”

Some witnesses with documented evidences were then tendered to the court against him by the prosecuting counsels; Ahmed Yerima, Nkemruwem Anana and Nwandu Ukoha.

Justice Sherifah Solebo, while delivering the judgment on Thursday, found Ilongwo guilty on seven counts of fraud and stealing.

Justice Sherifah then  sentenced Cletus to seven years in prison for N59.7million fraud and forfeiture of his property located at 3, Popoola Ajayi Street, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin and his Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle to the Federal Government.