The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a director with the Federal Ministry of Works, Blessing Lere-Adams, on charges bordering on money laundering and corruption.
Lere-Adams was charged on six counts in the Federal Provisions Act of the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria), the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act of 2000 when he appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
The suit was filed under the number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.
According to a statement released by ICPC spokesman John Odey on Tuesday, the alleged offenses were perpetrated in Abuja between August 2022 and January 2024.
The defendant received various sums of money from her subordinate, Henry David, which the ICPC, led by prosecuting attorney Onwuka Ngozi, claimed the defendant knew or should have reasonably known were proceeds of corruption.
The commission also claimed that Lere-Adams transferred some of the money to her husband, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and to a Fidelity Bank account that belonged 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 the 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 offense contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Odey stated that Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and subsequently applied for bail on liberal terms.
He noted that 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 hearing was adjourned until April 20, 2026.
The arraignment, according to the ICPC, demonstrates its determination to uphold responsibility in public service.
Yusuf Mustapha, a deputy director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, was charged with forgery by the ICPC and prosecuted before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on January 29.
