Justice C. O. Oba of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of Prof. Ladi Aisha Hamalai, the former Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). This action comes after she failed to appear before the court in a corruption case brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The Court issued the bench warrant on April 22 following her repeated failure to appear before the court.

The ICPC counsel had informed the court that it was the fourth consecutive time the former NILDS DG failed to honour the invitation of the Commission to appear in the case having been properly served.

The ICPC in the suit charge number: FCT/HC/CR/312/23, is accusing Prof. 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 in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.

The commission in a four-count charge also accused her of requesting another sum of N29million for the furnishing of the building as a government guest house.

The ICPC prosecutor, Michael Adesola, told the court that the former DG was served the arraignment notice but he was surprised she did not appear in court.

However, Olayemi Afolayan, counsel to Prof. Hamalai, informed the court that her client was sick, hence the absence.

But Justice Oba ruled that having failed to appear in court several times, the ICPC should effect the arrest of the former DG and produce her in court at the next adjourned date.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter till September 9.