Closing the Trust Gap: Federal Director Faces ICPC Over Alleged Laundering
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially arraigned Mrs. Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, a Director within the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, on a six-count charge involving alleged money laundering and corruption.
Appearing before Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, February 16, 2026, the senior civil servant faced allegations of utilizing her position to facilitate the movement of illicit funds through family bank accounts.
The proceedings highlight the ongoing scrutiny of financial conduct within Nigeria’s public service and the rigorous enforcement of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the charge sheet filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, the ICPC contends that Mrs. Lere-Adams received and retained various sums of money from a subordinate, identified as Mr. Henry David, between August 2022 and January 2024.
The prosecution, led by Mrs. Onwuka Ngozi, alleges that the defendant was aware, or reasonably ought to have known, that these funds were proceeds of unlawful activity. One specific count details the possession of ₦2 million on August 18, 2022, which the commission classifies as an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the 2022 Money Laundering Act.
Further investigation by the ICPC revealed a trail of transactions where substantial portions of the alleged illicit funds were transferred to the defendant’s family members. The prosecution stated that money was moved into the bank accounts of her spouse, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams, including an account held with Fidelity Bank.
These actions are being prosecuted as violations of not only the Money Laundering Act but also the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. These laws collectively aim to prevent the diversion of public resources and ensure that civil servants maintain a high standard of fiscal integrity.
The arraignment comes at a time of heightened activity for the ICPC. Recent reports from the commission indicate that it has tracked government projects worth over ₦219 billion across 176 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This systemic oversight is part of a broader federal initiative to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) and enhance the transparency of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The Ministry of Works and Housing, being a central pillar of Nigeria’s infrastructure development, remains a focal point for such anti-corruption efforts due to the high volume of contract awards and personnel management requirements inherent in its operations.
Upon the reading of the charges, Mrs. Lere-Adams pleaded not guilty. Her defense counsel subsequently moved an application for bail, requesting liberal terms. Justice Liman granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety of equal value.
The court stipulated that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction, possess a verifiable address, and provide three years of tax clearance. In a notable procedural detail, the court granted a 72-hour grace period for the defendant to perfect these bail conditions, warning that failure to do so within the timeframe would result in the revocation of her temporary freedom.
The case has been adjourned until April 20, 2026, for the commencement of the hearing. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome will likely serve as a benchmark for the application of the updated 2022 money laundering statutes against high-ranking government officials.
The ICPC has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting individuals who exploit public trust, emphasizing that the integrity of Nigeria’s administrative framework relies on the stringent accountability of its directors and executive staff.
