By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a senior director in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering and corruption involving millions of naira.
Mrs Lere-Adams was brought before Justice M.S. Liman on Monday, February 16, 2026, under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, on a six-count charge bordering on unlawful receipt, retention, and transfer of funds suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
According to an official statement signed by ICPC Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr J. Okor Odey, the alleged offences took place between August 2022 and January 2024 within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during her tenure as a director in the ministry.
The ICPC prosecution team, led by Mrs Onwuka Ngozi, told the court that the defendant allegedly received multiple payments from her subordinate, Mr Henry David, which she reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of corrupt practices. The Commission further alleged that Mrs Lere-Adams transferred substantial portions of the illicit funds to her husband, Mr Olujimi Lere-Adams, and into a bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams, including transactions routed through Fidelity Bank, in an attempt to conceal the origin of the money.
One of the charges read in court stated: “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. 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.”
The charges also include alleged 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.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts when they were read to her in court.
Following her plea, defence counsel, Barrister Nduka, applied for bail on liberal terms. In his ruling, Justice Liman granted Mrs Lere-Adams bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in like amount. The court directed that the surety must reside within its jurisdiction, provide a verifiable address, submit two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission, and file a sworn affidavit along with tax clearance certificates covering the past three years.
At the request of the defence, and without objection from the prosecution, the court granted the defendant a 72-hour grace period to perfect the bail conditions. Justice Liman warned that failure to meet the conditions within the stipulated timeframe would result in revocation of the bail.
The case was subsequently adjourned to April 20, 2026, for commencement of hearing.
Reaffirming its resolve in the matter, the ICPC stressed its commitment to ensuring accountability in public service, declaring that public officials who abuse their positions for personal gain would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
