A Federal High sitting in Apo, Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Professor Ladi Aisha Hamalai for her failure to appear in the corruption case preferred against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The spokesperson of ICPC, Demola Bakare said in a press statement that the Court presided over by Hon. Justice C. O. Oba issued the bench warrant on Monday, 22nd of April, 2024 for the arrest of the Professor following her repeated failure to show up in the court.
He said that ICPC Counsel had informed the court that this is the fourth consecutive time the former DG of NILS failed to honour the invitation by the Commission to appear in the case having been properly served.
In the suit charge number: FCT/HC/CR/312/23, the ICPC is accusing Professor Hamalai of using her office to confer corrupt advantage upon herself by making a request for the sum of N12 million to rent a guest house for her office but used the amount to purchase a property for herself at Gwarimpa area of Abuja. The Commission, in a four-count charge also accused the former DG of requesting for another sum of N29 million for the furnishing of the building as government guest house. ICPC Prosecutor, Michael Adesola told the court that the former DG was served the arraignment notice but was surprised she was not in court.
On her part, Counsel to Professor Hamalai, Olayemi Afolayan informed the court that her client was sick, hence the absence.
Justice Oba, however, ruled that having failed to appear in court, the ICPC should carry out the arrest of the former DG and produce her in court at the next adjourned date. The matter has since been adjourned till 9th of September, 2024.