Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has secured a court order to arrest former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof Ladi Hamalai, for failing to appear in the corruption case.
A statement by spokesman of the Commission, Mr. Demola Bakare says the Federal High sitting in Apo, Abuja presided over by Justice C. O. Oba issued the bench warrant for the arrest of Professor Hamalai following her repeated failure to show up in the court.
ICPC is accusing Professor Hamalai of using her office to confer corrupt advantage upon herself by requesting 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 Director General served the arraignment notice but was surprised she was not in court.
ICPC Counsel had informed the court that “this is the fourth consecutive time that the former DG of NILS failed to honour the invitation of the Commission to appear in the case having been properly served”.
However, on her part, Counsel to Professor Hamalai, Olayemi Afolayan informed the court that her client was sick, hence the absence.
Justice Oba who 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 on 9th of September, 2024.
