A Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of the 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).
This information was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ICPC, Demola Bakare, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday.
The ICPC’s spokesperson stated that “The Court, presided over by Hon. Justice C. O. Oba, issued the bench warrant on Monday, April 22, 2024, for the arrest of the Professor following her repeated failure to show up in court.”
He continued, stating that “The ICPC Counsel had informed the court that this is the fourth consecutive time that the former DG of NILS failed to honor the invitation of the Commission to appear in the case, despite having been properly served.”
“In the suit with charge number: FCT/HC/CR/312/23, the ICPC is accusing Professor Hamalai of using her office to confer a 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 in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.”
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The anti-corruption agency also stated that “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, 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 effect the arrest of the former DG and produce her in court at the next adjourned date.
The matter has since been adjourned until September 9, 2024.