The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Blessing Lere-Adams, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, on six charges of money laundering and corruption.
Lere-Adams appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.
The charges, filed under 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, are linked to alleged offences committed between August 2022 and January 2024. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.
ICPC spokesman John Odey said the commission, through counsel Onwuka Ngozi, alleged that Lere-Adams received money from her subordinate, Henry David, which she knew or should have known were proceeds of corruption. Parts of the funds were allegedly transferred to her husband, Olujimi Lere-Adams, and her son’s Fidelity Bank account.
One of the counts states that on August 18, 2022, Lere-Adams took possession of N2 million transferred to her First Bank account by Henry David, “when you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption,” in violation of section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
Lere-Adams pleaded not guilty and applied for bail. Justice M. Liman granted bail of N5 million with one surety of the same amount.
The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, provide a verifiable address, two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission, and a sworn affidavit with three years’ tax clearance.
The case has been adjourned to April 20, 2026, for hearing.
Odey said the arraignment underscores ICPC’s commitment to promoting accountability in public service.
In a similar case, the commission arraigned Yusuf Mustapha, Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, over alleged forgery on January 29.
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