Deeper Life Pastor, Eric Abakporo Sentenced To Six Years For Real Estate Fraud

A former Brooklyn-based civil attorney, and Pastor of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Ifeanyichukwu Eric Abakporo, was today in federal court in New York sentenced to six years in a United States prison in a case of defrauding banks, mortgage lenders, property owners, and property buyers. Mr. Abakporo was immediately remanded into custody by presiding U.S. District Court Judge, Shira A. Scheindlin. His wife and two children wept openly in the courtroom. He was led away in handcuffs. In addition to the six-year mandatory sentence, Abakporo will more than likely face deportation to Nigeria after serving his sentence, with the likelihood of a three-year supervisory probation release waved. His co-defendant, Latanya Pierce, received a lighter, 30-month sentence. In her closing statement, Pierce said she felt like the “biggest fool in the world.” The legal fate of Abakporo and Pierce was never in doubt. They were convicted in a wide-ranging series of illegal transactions in New York City over a nine-year stretch, dating back to 2003. Following the sentencing procedures, neither prosecuting attorneys nor the attorneys defending the two would offer comments to SaharaReporters. As Abakporo was whisked away in handcuffs, his wife and two children wept openly in the courtroom.