Money Laundering: ICPC Arraigns Ministry Of Works Director

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a director in the Federal Ministry of Works on charges of money laundering and corruption.

The accused director, Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, was arraigned before Hon. Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, alleged that she illegally received and retained funds from a subordinate, which she knew, or ought reasonably to have known, were proceeds of corruption.

The alleged offences occurred between August 2022 and January 2024 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The ICPC prosecution team, led by Mrs. Onwuka Ngozi, contended that Lere-Adams received various sums of money from her subordinate, Henry David.

It is further alleged that she transferred substantial portions of these illicit funds to her spouse, Olujimi Lere-Adams, and into a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams, despite being aware that the money originated from unlawful activity.

The defendant faced a six-count charge, including violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

One of the counts against her read: “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 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. Thereby, you committed an offence contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Barrister Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following an application from the defence for bail on liberal terms, Justice Liman granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in the like amount. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction with a verifiable address, provide two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and submit a sworn affidavit along with three years’ worth of tax clearance for the court’s inspection.

At the request of the 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 terms were not satisfied within this timeframe.

The case has been adjourned until April 20, 2026, for a hearing.

While reacting to the arraignment, ICPC spokesperson, John Okorie Odey, said the ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to holding public servants accountable and ensuring that individuals who exploit their positions of trust for personal gain are brought to justice.