A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja has demanded the apprehension of Professor Ladi Hamalai, the former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
This directive came about because she did not attend the corruption case brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“The court, led by Justice C. O. Oba, issued the bench warrant on Monday, April 22, 2024, for the arrest of the Professor due to her repeated failure to appear in court,”
The ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, disclosed this development in a statement on Thursday.
He pointed out that the ICPC legal counsel, Michael Adesola, informed the court that this was the fourth consecutive time that the former NILS DG failed to respond to the commission’s invitation regarding the case, despite being properly notified.
Bakare said, “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 acquire a property for herself at Gwarinpa area of Abuja.
“The commission, in a four-count charge also accused the former DG of requesting another sum of N29 million for the furnishing of the building as a 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.”
However, Professor Hamalai's lawyer, Olayemi Afolayan, informed the court that her client was unwell, which explained her absence.
Justice Oba, nevertheless, ruled that due to her failure to appear in court, the ICPC should arrest the former DG and bring her to court on the next scheduled date.
The case was adjourned until September 19, 2024.
