A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded a Dutch national, Peiter Borremans, and his wife, Nkechi Borremans in EFCC custody for allegedly defrauding two firms of the sum of $330,000 meant for the purchase of a marine tanker vessel.
The two defendants alongside a firm, Lagon Trade Limited were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice E. A. Obile on two count charges bordering on fraud and felony.
The 1st defendant, Peiter Borremans, and the 2nd defendant, Nkechi Borremans however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Our correspondent gathered that the defendants had on July 31, 2014, allegedly defrauded their victims, Jackkyson Multi Services Limited and Alot General Services Limited to part with the sum of $330,000 being an upfront payment for the purchase of marine tanker vessel.
The prosecuting counsel, J.N Dogonyaro when the defendants pleaded “not guilty” urged the court to remand the two at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre facility, pending the hearing of the matter.
But the counsel of the defendant C. A Okowanye prayed the court that his clients be remanded in the EFCC custody following the second Phase of Covid 19.
Responding to both counsels’, the presiding judge, Justice Obile, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the custody of the EFCC and adjourned the matter till March 31, 2021.
