Court orders arrest of ex-NILDS DG, Hamalai

A Federal High sitting in Apo, Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof 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).

The trial judge, C. O. Oba issued the bench warrant April, 22, 2024 for the arrest of the Professor following her repeated failure to show up in the court.
The ICPC counsel, Michael Adesola had informed the court that it was the fourth consecutive time that the former DG of NILDS failed to honour the invitation of the Commisssion to appear in the case having been properly served.

In the suit charge number FCT/HC/CR/312/23, the ICPC is accusing 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 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. Adesola told the court that the suspect was served the arraignment notice but was surprised she was not in court.

However, defence counsel, Olayemi Afolayan informed the court that Hamalai was sick, hence her absence. Justice Oba, however, ruled that having failed to appear in court, the ICPC should effect the arrest of the suspect and produce her in court at the next adjourned date, which is September 9, 2024.