A Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Professor Ladi Hamalai, the former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILS). The order came after Professor Hamalai failed to appear in court in a corruption case brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, Professor Hamalai’s repeated failure to appear in court despite being properly served led to the issuance of the bench warrant. The charges against her include using her office for personal gain, specifically requesting funds for renting a guest house for her office but instead using the money to purchase a property for herself in Abuja’s Gwarinpa area.
ICPC prosecutor Michael Adesola informed the court that Professor Hamalai had been served the arraignment notice but failed to appear. In response, Professor Hamalai’s counsel, Olayemi Afolayan, cited her client’s illness as the reason for her absence.
However, Justice Oba ruled that due to Professor Hamalai’s failure to appear in court, the ICPC should effect her arrest and produce her at the next adjourned date. The case has been adjourned until September 19, 2024.