The trial of Ndudi Elumelu, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and other staff of Rural Electricity Agency, led by its Chief Executive, Engr. Sam Gekpe, was this morning stalled due to the non-appearance or representation for the eleven companies that allegedly collaborated in the N5.2 billion fraud perpetrated in the agency.

The prosecuting counsel, Chief Godwin Obla, informed the court that it would be in the interest of justice to give the companies another opportunity to appear before the court to face their trial.

He thereafter applied that hearing notices be served on the absentee companies to compel them to appear at the next adjourned date.

Senator Ugbane, Ndudi Elumelu and other members of the Committee on Power in the National Assembly are standing trial alongside the management of the Rural Electricity Agency, before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on allegations of infraction of the Public Procurement Act, where they allegedly superintended the misappropriation of N5.2 billion through the award of electrification contracts to some companies without following due process.

Justice Mohammed Garuba adjourned hearing on the matter till 12 November, 2009 for definite hearing.