ICPC Charges Works Ministry Director with Money Laundering.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has charged Blessing Lere-Adams, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Works, with money laundering and corruption.

On Monday, Lere-Adams was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on six charges under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000. The suit was labeled FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.

According to a statement released by ICPC spokesman John Odey on Tuesday, the alleged offenses were committed in Abuja between August 2022 and January 2024.

Advertisement

Under the leadership of prosecuting attorney Onwuka Ngozi, the ICPC claimed that the defendant knew or should have reasonably known that the various sums of money she received from her subordinate, Henry David, were the proceeds of corruption.

The commission also claimed that Lere-Adams moved some of the money to her husband, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and to her son, Jafe Lere-Adams’s Fidelity Bank account.

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.”

Advertisement

Odey stated that Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Nduka, pleaded not guilty to all charges and then applied for bail on liberal terms. He stated that Justice M. Liman granted her bail of ₦5 million, with one surety in the same 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 for the court’s inspection, ” the statement added.

The case was postponed until April 20, 2026, for hearing. The ICPC said the arraignment demonstrates its commitment to ensuring accountability in public service.