A Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has directed the arrest of Professor Ladi Aisha Hamalai, the former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), due to her non-appearance in a corruption case brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a formal statement, Mr. Demola Bakare, the spokesperson for ICPC, disclosed that Hon. Justice C. O. Oba, presiding over the court, issued the bench warrant on Monday, April 22, 2024, following Professor Hamalai’s repeated failure to attend court proceedings. The ICPC Counsel informed the court that this marks the fourth consecutive instance in which Professor Hamalai has disregarded the Commission’s summons to appear in the case, despite being duly served.
The case, filed under suit charge number FCT/HC/CR/312/23, alleges that Professor Hamalai abused her position by seeking funds amounting to N12 million purportedly for the rental of a guest house for her office, which she instead utilized to acquire a property for personal gain in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja. Furthermore, the ICPC has leveled a four-count charge against her, including the solicitation of an additional N29 million for furnishing the aforementioned property as a government guest house.
During proceedings, ICPC Prosecutor Michael Adesola informed the court that despite being served with notice of arraignment, Professor Hamalai was conspicuously absent. In response, Counsel to Professor Hamalai, Olayemi Afolayan, cited illness as the reason for her client’s absence.
In light of Professor Hamalai’s repeated non-appearance, Justice Oba ruled in favor of the ICPC’s request for her arrest and ordered that she be brought before the court on the next scheduled hearing date, which has been set for September 9, 2024.
The case remains ongoing pending further developments.
