Lagos Court Sentences Man to 30 Years for Fraud

On Monday, Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sentenced Olumuyiwa Teniola Idowu to a total of 30 years in prison for fraud involving $62,500 and €36,020. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against Idowu under Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 and Section 27(3) of the EFCC Act 2004, relating to non-disclosure of assets and refusal to declare property.

Idowu was first arraigned on November 27, 2024, and pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial. Prosecuting counsel E.S.

Okongwu presented three witnesses and 11 exhibits, while defense counsel Kehind Olawumi called on witnesses during the trial. Justice Ijelu concluded that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in Idowu receiving a five-year prison sentence on four counts, to run concurrently, with an option of a 1 million fine per count payable within six months.

Additionally, Idowu was ordered to refund the defrauded amounts within six months of the judgment and was remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.