The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a director from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on charges of money laundering and corruption, alleging she received funds from a subordinate and transferred portions to her husband and son.
Mrs. Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams appeared before Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, facing a six-count charge filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.
The Allegations
The ICPC alleges that between August 2022 and January 2024, Lere-Adams received various sums from her subordinate, Mr. Henry David, in the Federal Capital Territory. Prosecutors say she then transferred substantial portions of these funds to her spouse, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and into a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams.
The commission contends she knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the money originated from unlawful activity.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams, 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.”
The charges include 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 Arraignment
Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Barrister Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following an application for bail, 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, and submit a sworn affidavit along with three years’ worth of tax clearance.
At the defence counsel’s request—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 bail would be revoked if the terms were not satisfied within this timeframe.
What Comes Next
The case has been adjourned until 20th April 2026 for a hearing.
The ICPC, through its prosecution team led by Mrs Onwuka Ngozi, reaffirmed its commitment to holding public servants accountable. “We ensure that individuals who exploit their positions of trust for personal gain are brought to justice,” the commission said in a statement.
For Lere-Adams, the case marks the beginning of a legal battle that will determine whether a director in one of Nigeria’s largest ministries used her position to channel corrupt proceeds through her family—or whether the allegations against her will fall apart under scrutiny.
The court will hear the full case in April.
