Former Management Team of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) who are standing trial over an alleged embezzlement of 5 billion Naira from the coffers of the commission through estacodes and travelling allowances, which they frequently approved for themselves and the award of selfishly contrived contracts awarded to their companies and cronies, today in Abuja mounted a strong wall against the commencement of their trial.

The officials who were standing trial before an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Salisu Garba profusely refused attempts made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lawyer to resume the case afresh. The officials brought a fresh application challenging the competence of the substantive criminal charge which the anti graft agency slammed against them.  

The EFCC Lawyer; Chief Godwin Obla had earlier secured the court’s permission to streamline the allegations against the officials from 156 criminal counts to 83. This streamlining necessitated a fresh plea taking by the accused public officials. This however failed to take place following the application filed by the embattled public officers challenging the substantive charges hanging on their necks.

The accused public officials facing trial alongside Engr. Ransome Owan; the ex Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission are Mallam Abdurahman Ado; Director of Market Competition and Rates, Prof. Onwuameze C. Iloje; Director of Research and Development, Dr. Abdulrazaq M. Alimi Director of legal Licensing and Enforcement, Engr. Mohammed B.G Bunu  Director of Finance and Management Services, Engr.Abimbora Odubiyi Director Engineering Standard and Safety and Dr. Mrs Grace Eyoma  Director Government and Consumer Affairs.

Justice Garba was forced to adjourn the matter to enable the anti graft commission lawyer to respond to the fresh application filed by the accused persons. The judge thereafter fixed further hearing for Friday, 29th January, 2010.