Court sentences man, company to 30 years for $62,500, €36,020 fraud

Abdullateef Fowewe

Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has convicted Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and his company, Tennyvans Nigeria Limited, on Monday, March 30, sentencing them to a total of 30 years imprisonment on six counts of stealing and failing to declare assets worth $62,500 and €36,020.

The convictions stem from offences under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and Section 27(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, 2004, involving non-disclosure of assets.

According to a statement obtained from EFCC, one count in the charge sheet stated: “Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and Tennyvams Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $62,500 (Sixty-Two Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars) being the cost of caterpillar parts, property of Rene Theodorous Johannes Brouwers of Brouwers USA Trucks and Parts.”

Another count read: “Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu and Tennyvams Nigeria Limited sometimes in 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of €36,020 (Thirty six Thousand, Twenty Euro) being the cost and shipping of DAF Truck, Box trailer and two (2) tippers, property of Rene Theodorous Johannes Brouwers of Brouwers USA Trucks and Parts b.v.”

Idowu was arraigned on November 27, 2024, pleaded not guilty, and faced a full trial. EFCC prosecutor E. S. Okongwu presented three witnesses and 11 exhibits, all admitted by the court, while defense counsel Kehinde Olawumi called one witness.

In his ruling, Justice Ijelu declared that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and found Idowu guilty on all counts.

Sentencing included five years on counts one to four, to run concurrently, plus five years each on counts five and six—or a N1 million fine per count within six months, defaulting to custody.

The court also mandated restitution of the full $62,500 and €36,020 to victim Rene Theodorous Johannes Brouwers within six months.
Idowu was remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending compliance.