Justice Sherifat Solebo of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, today adjourned the alleged N59.7m fraud case preferred against Lagos-based prophet, Cletus Ilongwo, till June 16, 2022, for judgment.
Ilongwo, the Presiding Pastor of the Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, is facing 11 counts charges bordering on fraud and stealing.
He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Solebo, for allegedly defrauding a former member of his congregation, Obinna Ezenwaka of the sum of N59.7m.
The anti-graft agency had alleged that the prophet received the said amount from Ezenwaka on different occasions in 2016 on the pretext of helping him to purchase a property located at 165c Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, Ilongwo collected the sum in tranches through his Zenith Bank account 1003455899.
The charges reads in part, “That you, Cletus Ilongwo, on January 29, 2016, at Lagos, within the Ikeja Juridical Division, dishonestly converted for your own use the sum of N10m, being money received through your Zenith Bank account number 1003495899 from Obinna Ezenwaka meant for the purchase of the property situated at No 165c, Block 12, Diamond Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resume of the matter, the defence counsel, Titilayo Akinlawon (SAN), informed the court that the former prosecuting counsel, Nkereuwem Anana from the office of EFCC who has been transferred to Uyo had filed an amended charge in which she has also filed a notice of preliminary objection.
She said that the record of the court is clear on the business of the court today, saying the court adjourned specifically for judgement today.
She noted that the prosecution had amended the charge for five times since the commencement of the trial and the defence is fully prepared for the judgement today.
She said: “My lord, I want to state clear that the record of the court in the last sitting is that the court adjourned for judgement today.
But I was shocked when my learned brother for the prosecution served on us an amended information. We have filed our motion for preliminary objection to the application. The prosecution had amended the charge for five times since we started this matter. The business of today is judgement and we are ready, ” she affirmed.
In response, the prosecuting counsel, Nwandu Ukoha acknowledged that there was indeed an amended charge but he inherited the case upon his transfer to Lagos.
He confirmed receiving the preliminary objection motion of the defence counsel, but thereafter, prayed the court for the withdrawal of the amended charge so that the court can go ahead with judgement.
“I can confirm receiving the preliminary objection of my learned senior colleague, but I want to state a junior, we are doing what we were assigned to do.,” Ukoha said.
After a few seconds of silence while standing, the prosecution said:” I hearby withdraw the amended information. ”
Justice Solebo, while adjourning the matter to 16 June for judgement said that she is imperative to accommodate the recent development.
