ICPC Arraigns Works Director Over Alleged N2m Money Laundering

ICPC Arraigns Works Director Over Alleged N2m Money Laundering

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a director in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs. Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, over alleged money laundering involving N2 million and other sums.

Mrs. Lere-Adams was docked before Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, February 16, 2026, on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and corruption.

According to the Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, the charges, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, allege that the director unlawfully received and retained funds from her subordinate, Mr. Henry David, which she knew or ought reasonably to have known were proceeds of corruption.

The alleged offences were said to have taken place between August 2022 and January 2024 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

ICPC’s prosecution team, led by Mrs. Onwuka Ngozi, told the court that the defendant received various sums of money from her subordinate and allegedly transferred substantial portions to her husband, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, as well as into a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams (F), on or about 18th August 2022 at Abuja, FCT within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being a Director at Federal Ministry of Works and Housing directly took possession of and retained N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) transferred to your First Bank account number 3002361584 by one Henry David, your subordinate, when you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption.”

The charge stated that the alleged act contravened Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendant, who was represented by her counsel, Barrister Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against her.

Following an application for bail on liberal terms by the defence, Justice Liman granted her bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.

The court ruled that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, present a verifiable address, submit two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), file a sworn affidavit and provide three years’ tax clearance for inspection.

At the request of defence counsel, and with no objection from the prosecution, the court granted a 72-hour grace period for the defendant to meet the bail conditions. Justice Liman warned that the bail would be revoked if the conditions were not fulfilled within the stipulated time.

The matter was adjourned to April 20, 2026, for hearing.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to holding public servants accountable, stressing that individuals who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain would be brought to justice.