Dare Babalola
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Blessing Lere-Adams, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, with money laundering and corruption.
Lere-Adams appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, facing six charges related to money laundering and corruption under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act, and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The suit was marked FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.
The ICPC spokesman, John Odey, said in a statement on Tuesday that the alleged offences occurred in Abuja between August 2022 and January 2024.
The ICPC, led by prosecuting counsel Onwuka Ngozi, alleged that Lere-Adams received various sums from her subordinate, Henry David, which she knew or should have known were proceeds of corruption.
The commission further alleged that Lere-Adams transferred parts of the funds to her husband, Mr Olujimi Lere-Adams, and to a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Lere-Adams.
One of the counts read, “That you, Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams, on or about August 18, 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.”
Odey said Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and subsequently applied for bail on liberal terms.
He said Justice M. Liman granted her bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum.
“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, and submit a sworn affidavit along with three years’ worth of tax clearance for the court’s inspection, ” the statement added.
The matter was adjourned to April 20, 2026, for hearing.
The ICPC said the arraignment underscores its resolve to ensure accountability in public service.
On January 29, the ICPC arraigned Yusuf Mustapha, a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery.
