Tobi Adebayo
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, observed the prosecution of Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Saipem SPA and its management at a State High Court in Port Harcourt over alleged fraud against the state Government.
ThisNigeria reported that the court remanded the Managing Director of Saipem, Walter Peviana and Kelechi Sinteh Chinakwe in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre over an alleged conspiracy to cheat and with intent to defraud the Government of Rivers State of the sum of $130 Million USD, being advanced payment for the construction of the OCGT power plant in Port Harcourt.
However, Peviana and Chinakwe were granted bail less than a week after they were remanded.
Other defendants in the matter include Giandomenico Zingali; Vitto Testaguzza and Davide Anelli.
The court had on February 2nd ruled that Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, Saipem SPA, the fifth and seventh defendants, whose warrants of arrest were issued earlier, will be tried in absentia.
Alleged fraud: Rivers Govt increases criminal charges against SAIPEM to 16
Meanwhile, the court, on Thursday, is expected to hear the arguments on the preliminary objection raised by the counsel to the defendants.
It will also commence a hearing on the substantive suit brought by the Rivers State Government, seeking the conviction of the defendants for a 16-count charge of fraud.
Present in court with Governor Wike include Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; former Senator Olaka Wogu, National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-South, Dan Obih and state Lawmaker, Smart Adoki.
