A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has issued an arrest warrant for Professor Ladi Aisha Hamalai, the former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), due to her repeated non-appearance in a corruption case brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to a statement by Mr. Demola Bakare, the Commission’s spokesperson, Hon. Justice C. O. Oba presided over the court and issued the bench warrant following Professor Hamalai’s consistent failure to attend court proceedings despite being properly summoned by the Commission.
The ICPC alleges that Professor Hamalai abused her position by requesting N12 million to rent a guest house for her office but instead used the funds to acquire a property for herself in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.
Additionally, she is accused of soliciting another N29 million for furnishing the building as a government guest house.
ICPC Prosecutor, Michael Adesola, informed the court that the former DG had been duly served with the arraignment notice but failed to appear in court, citing illness as the reason for her absence, as stated by her counsel, Olayemi Afolayan.
Justice Oba, however, ruled that due to her continuous absence, the ICPC should proceed with the arrest of Professor Hamalai and ensure her presence in court for the next adjourned date, set for September 9th of this year.
LV