The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted a popular Lagos-based cleric, Prophet Israel Ogundipe, on allegations of fraud.
The judgement was delivered on Wednesday
The Shepherd-in-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Global Genesis Parish was arraigned before the court following a petition filed by a UK-based architect, Olaide Williams-Oni, who accused him of obtaining a total of N17 million from her with the promise to help her procure some landed property.
According to Williams-Oni’s testimony before the court, she met prophet Ogundipe in 2002 during her visit to Nigeria when she was taken to his church for prayers by her step-sister.
The prophet was prosecuted on seven counts, but was found guilty on two by Justice Olabisi Akinlade.
The judge dismissed five of the charges for lack of evidence.
The judge sentenced Ogundipe, who was first arraigned in 2007, to one year imprisonment on each count, but said the prison terms would run concurrently.
