Indications have emerged that Prof Ladi Hamalai, a former Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, will face additional charges in her ongoing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
The ICPC is currently prosecuting Hamalai on a four-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, in a suit numbered FCT/HC/CR/312/23.
The ICPC alleged that Hamalai used 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 instead used the amount to purchase a property for herself in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja.
The Commission also accused the former DG of requesting another sum of N29 million for the furnishing of the building as a government guest house.
Indications that Hamalai could face additional charges followed a petition brought against her by staff of NILDS.
The petition, dated 19th May 2024, and addressed to the ICPC chairman, and copied to the Director of Legal Services, ICPC, was titled ‘Petition against Prof. Ladi Hamalai, former Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) regarding several acts of violation of Section 19 of the ICPC Act, 2000, during her tenure (2011-2019).
In the petition, signed by Tosin Ojaomo, Esq, solicitor to NILDS’ staff, the ICPC was asked to investigate the corruption allegations against Hamalai, with a view to filing additional charges against her if found to be true.
The petition alleged that the contract for the construction of the headquarters of NILDS, valued at N52 billion, was a conduit for embezzlement.
“We request you to investigate the accuracy and veracity of the allegation(s) that officials of the National Institute for Legislative Studies and some of the legislators of the National Assembly are using this project of the construction of the permanent site of the National Institute for Legislative Studies as one method of embezzlement of public funds through “budget padding”, inflation of contract figures and quotation, double-invoicing etc.
“Recall that sometime during December 2015, it was reported that the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria had written a letter to the National Institute for Legislative Studies alleging that the architectural aspects of this building constituted a violation of the relevant sections of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A19, Laws of hte Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004 Edition,” the petition said.
In the fresh petition, Hamalai was also accused of “illegal refusal to remit to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) monies deducted from staff salaries as personnel income taxes”.
It was alleged that NILDS staff suffered double taxation as a result of the said non-remittance of the monies deducted from staff salaries as tax.
When contacted, ICPC Director, Legal, Mr Henry Emore, said the Commission would investigate the fresh allegations before deciding to file additional charges against Hamalai.
“The petition will be investigated, first and foremost. Probably the charges in court now are based on earlier petitions but if there are more facts, they have to be investigated thoroughly. It is only after investigations that it comes to Legal Department for advice on whether to prosecute.”
Speaking on the status of the case against Hamalai, Emore said, “The case is still ongoing. It is for arraignment.”
It will be recalled that on 22 April, a Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, ordered Hamalai’s arrest for failing to appear in court for her trial.
The court, presided over by Justice C. O. Oba, issued the bench warrant for Hamalai’s arrest following her repeated failure to show up in court.
The ICPC counsel had informed the court that it was the fourth consecutive time that the former DG failed to honour the invitation of the Commission to appear in the case, having been properly served.
Hamalai’s lawyer, Olayemi Afolayan, however, informed the court that her client was sick, hence her absence.
Justice Oba, however, 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.
The matter was adjourned until September 9, 2024.
A Freedom of Information, FOI, request sent to the Joint Tax Board seeking information on the alleged double tax deductions from the salaries of NILDS staff arising from non-remittance of earlier deductions by NILDS management to the FIRS was attached as supporting evidence in the petition.
The petition further accused Hamalai of violating Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution by her refusal to permit staff to join labour/trade unions of their choice throughout her tenure.
The former NILDS DG was further accused of “violation of relevant laws relating to age of retirement of staff and length of stay of Sabbatical leave at the institute” and “acceptance of chieftaincy titles while still in service”, contrary to extant laws.
When contacted, ICPC Director, Legal, Mr Henry Emore, said the Commission would investigate the fresh allegations before deciding to file additional charges against Hamalai.
“The petition will be investigated, first and foremost. Probably the charges in court now are based on earlier petitions but if there are more facts, they have to be investigated thoroughly. It is only after investigations that it comes to Legal Department for advice on whether to prosecute.”
Speaking on the status of the case against Hamalai, Emore said, “The case is still ongoing. It is for arraignment.”
It will be recalled that on 22 April, a Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, ordered Hamalai’s arrest for failing to appear in court for her trial.
The court, presided over by Justice C. O. Oba, issued the bench warrant for Hamalai’s arrest following her repeated failure to show up in court.
The ICPC counsel had informed the court that it was the fourth consecutive time that the former DG failed to honour the invitation of the Commission to appear in the case, having been properly served.
Hamalai’s lawyer, Olayemi Afolayan, however, informed the court that her client was sick, hence her absence.
Justice Oba, however, 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.
The matter was adjourned until September 9, 2024.
Ex-NILDS DG, Hamalai, to face additional charges in ICPC trial