MD arraigned for N12m fraud

On tuesday, the 4th of October 2022, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Adewale Aladejana, the Managing Director of Saphire Scents Limited,, before Justice M. A Madugu of the Federal High Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N12 million under false pretence.

He was arraigned on three charges bordering on misappropriation and obtaining under false pretence.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, made this known in a statement on Friday.

“Specifically, he allegedly collected the sum of N12 million from potential investors in his company, with a promise of turnover in six months, without offering any profit or returning the invested funds to his investors,” he said.

Count one read, “That you, Adewale Aladejana being the Managing Director of Saphire Scents Limited, and your Saphire Scents Limited in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court on or about the 16th day of September 2019 being entrusted with the sum of N4million by one Anaetoh Obianuju for investment in Saphire Scents Limited dishonestly misappropriated same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 LFN (Abuja ) 1990 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.”

Count two read, “That you Adewale Aladejana being the Managing Director of Saphire Consult and you Saphire Scents Limited in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court on or about the 9th day of April 2019 being entrusted with the sum of N4million by one patience Idu Ipenyi for investment in Saphire Scents Limited, dishonestly misappropriated same and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 at the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 LFN (Abuja ) 1990 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act.”

Aladejana, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, S. A Ugwuegbulam, prayed the court give a trial date to enable him to prove the case.

However, the defence counsel, Eyitayo Fatogun, in a bail application, sought his client’s bail, pending the case’s hearing and determination.

The matter was adjourned to November 21 and 22, 2022 for trial, as Justice Madugu granted Aladejana bail in the sum of N4million and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties should be a level seven officer in the civil service with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. Both sureties are expected to provide their valid means of identification, including their passport photographs.

In March 2022, Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, a brand influencer for Saphhire Scents, openly dissociated herself from the brand as she called Aladejana out for fraudulent activities.

(Punch)