- The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, over a six-count charge of money laundering.
- The defendant is accused of receiving N2 million from a subordinate, Henry David, and funneling illicit funds into bank accounts belonging to her husband and son.
- Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted the Director bail in the sum of N5 million after she pleaded not guilty to all corruption charges.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a Director from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs. Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, on charges of money laundering and corruption.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the anti-graft agency accused the Director of illegally receiving and retaining funds from a subordinate, which were allegedly proceeds of corrupt activities.
The defendant appeared before Honourable Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday following a six-count charge filed against her.
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According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, the alleged offences occurred between August 2022 and January 2024 within the Federal Capital Territory.
The prosecution team, led by Mrs. Onwuka Ngozi, contended that Mrs. Lere-Adams received various sums from her subordinate, Mr. Henry David, and subsequently transferred portions of these illicit funds to her spouse, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams.
One of the counts against her stated that she directly took possession of and retained N2,000,000 on or about August 18, 2022, an act contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to her in court and applied for bail through her counsel.
In his ruling, Justice Liman granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum. The surety is required to be a resident within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide verifiable identification and tax clearance.
The court also granted a 72-hour grace period for the defendant to meet the bail conditions, failing which the bail would be revoked.
The case has been adjourned until April 20, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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