Court grants Sapphire Scents MD Wale Jana N4m bail over alleged N12m fraud

Wale Jana, the managing director of Saphire Scents Limited, has been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with fraud. The case was brought before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that Mr. Jana was arraigned on Tuesday for allegedly obtaining N12 million through fraudulent means.

He was charged with three counts of misappropriation and obtaining under false pretence in front of Justice M. A. Madugu.

“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,” Uwujaren 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.”

Jana, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

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, sought his client’s bail, pending hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Madugu granted Jana bail in the sum of N4m 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.

The matter was adjourned to November 21 and 22, 2022 for trial.

In March 2022, actress Tonto Dikeh publicly dissociated herself from Sapphire Scents as brand influencer, accusing Jana of fraud.